RRR star Jr NTR: I saw MM Keeravaani, Chandrabose as two Telugu people at the Oscars ceremony

Jr NTR, who returned to Hyderabad earlier this week after attending the Academy Awards event in the US, greeted crowds at the pre-release event of Vishwak Sen’s Das Ka Dhamki today. This is his first public appearance in India after Naatu Naatu won the Oscars in the Best Original Category. Here’s what he said about the global honour for RRR and the Vishwak Sen starrer tonight.

“If RRR has won an Oscar today, it is because of SS Rajamouli, lyricist Chandrabose, choreographer Prem Rakshith, composer MM Keeravaani and more importantly, because of the Indian film industry and the love of all audiences. When Keeravaani and Chandrabose were receiving the Oscar, I saw them as two Telugu people. It was a great sight to watch it at the venue; I don’t know if I’ll get to experience anything better in my life,” Jr NTR said.

Lavishing praise on Vishwak Sen, he mentioned, “I thought I was a chatterbox on stage, but Vishwak made even someone like me listen to his speeches. My presence at his film event was due for a long time. There are very few films that I watch repeatedly when I’m not in a good mood. Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi is one such film; Vishwak and Abhinav Gomatam were absolutely brilliant in it. He performed comedy while handling so much psychological trauma.”

“It isn’t easy for a newcomer to take up such a role, I don’t know what inspired him to come up with that performance (in Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi) . I watched Falaknuma Das (that he also directed) and Paagal and just when I thought he was getting trapped in an image, I was awestruck by his work in Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam. I was surprised how someone with such confidence could come up with a controlled, restrained performance,” he added.

The RRR star said it took him a long time to realise that he was restricting his scope to a certain set of roles. “I’d promised you at the same venue to be part of films that’ll make you proud. I was reborn as an actor that day. Vishwak Sen has matured very early as an actor. Being in the same profession, I can say you it’s not easy at all. This is a blessing from God and his parents. He wants to prove something to himself and entertain audiences.”

Jr NTR stated he wants Vishwak to score a blockbuster with Das Ka Dhamki and stop directing films later. “There are so many talented young directors whom I and you need to work with. Telugu cinema is at its peak across the globe now and it’s important to sustain that high by making quality films. He has put all his money into this film and is so keen to be a part of good cinema. I hope the Telugu new year Ugadi starts on an auspicious note with this project.”