Audiences feel like I am one of them, says Telugu star Nani ahead of ‘Dasara’ release

“(It’s) a tag given by the audience and they lovingly call me that, even though I am not in full favour of it. I’m kind of used to it now and I like it because it is coming from a space of love, and it is not just some tag that you put on yourself,” Nani told PTI in an interview.

They say it’s written … 🗡
7 Days to go 🔥#DasaraOnMarch30th pic.twitter.com/pO7xby8wCh

— Hi Nani (@NameisNani) March 23, 2023

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‘I look like one of them’

“My USP as an actor is relatability… that I look like a person who they know in their life, he could be someone in their family or is a friend, and doesn’t look from the screen or somebody from another world. I also look like one of them and that is my USP.”

Dasara, directed by debutant Srikanth Odela, is set in a village situated in Singareni Coal Mines in the Peddapalli district of Telangana. The film will release on 30 March in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.

Nani said Dharani, his character in Dasara, is a common man who rises up to the occasion.

“I also believe in larger-than-life roles, I love Avengers’. But I also believe the larger-than-life moments should happen (naturally)… You make us feel an emotion, and give us a moment which demands a hero, who comes from normalcy but also rises to the occasion and becomes larger-than-life. I like that emotion and Dasara falls into that category,” said Nani.

#Dasara New Poster, Grand release on March 30th 🔥#DasaraOnMarch30th🪓💥💣 #ActorNani #KeerthySuresh #SrikanthOdela #MusicSanthosh #SriBalajiVideo @NameisNani @KeethySuresh pic.twitter.com/5dV0IPaJHX

— Sri Balaji Video (@sribalajivideos) March 20, 2023

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Hopes for audiences across languages

Nani hopes that Dasara will find audiences across languages given the rising popularity of Telugu content post the success of RRR.

“I think the acceptance is already there. They are watching a lot of Telugu content online, and on YouTube, I see that everywhere. But now is the challenge, now is the test of what will happen on 30 March, will they come to theatres? Because this is a film that demands theatrical experience…”

Asked whether he planned to venture into Hindi cinema given the fact that his Jersey was already remade in Hindi, the actor said he is always keen to expand his horizon.

“There were a few (offers from the Hindi film industry)… If something exciting comes up, I am always keen,” he said.

‘Idea of choosing not changed’

Nani said not all his upcoming movies would be a pan-India release and added that for him the idea of choosing films has also not changed.

“I will keep choosing what excites and connects with me. I will only bring the film (here), which I feel will not every film will be in all languages. With Dasara, I felt this emotion is universal, it is not about Telugu (people). I believe that everyone including the Hindi audience will love the film. So, I am coming here and promoting it. But it won’t change my idea of picking scripts,” he added.

Dasara also features Keerthy Suresh, Samuthirakani, Sai Kumar and Zarina Wahab. It is produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri via his banner Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas.