Nani: Shooting for Shyam Singha Roy reminded me of a few scenes from Kamal Haasan's Hey Ram

Of late, Tollywood actors flying down to Chennai for film promotions have become a norm. Ram Charan and Jr NTR were here for the promotion of the Tamil version of RRR a week ago. Allu Arjun attended the press meet of Pushpa's Tamil version a couple of days ago. Now, it was the turn of Nani, who is awaiting the release of Shyam Singha Roy December 24.

The actor, who is known to Tamil audience from the time Naan Ee released, says he has been keen on releasing his movies in Tamil ever since the Rajamouli-directorial was lapped up by Kollywood film lovers. 

Expressing happiness over attending the press meet and trailer launch of Shyam Singha Roy's Tamil version, the actor said that it was Tamil films which inspired him to take a plunge into the filmdom. A self-confessed fan of Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan, Nani said the former is his all time favourite filmmaker and that the latter's Hey Ram was in his mind while shooting a few portions for Shyam Singha Roy.

He said, "Tamil actors and filmmakers have been a great inspiration for me to join film industry. I have been quite lucky to receive love and appreciation from Tamil movie buffs from the time Naan Ee became a big hit here." 

Nani added, "Like Kamal sir's Hey Ram, Shyam Singha Roy's story, too, happens in Kolkata. The moustache I have sported for my character in the film is inspired from Kamal sir's character from Hey Ram. We tend to take certain things from the actors we grew up watching in our films."

He said that after his Veppam and Aaha Kalyanam failed at the box office, he thought he should take a break from impressing Tamil audience and concentrate on Telugu more. "I wanted to comeback with a project which will really engage Tamil viewers. I have that confidence in Shyam Singha Roy. I can't wait to hear what Tamil movie buffs have to say about the film," he added.