Nagarjuna on Sri Ramadasu
How did you prepare yourself mentally and physically for the role?
The mental preparation was done by Bharavi and Raghavendra Rao. They used to continuously talk to me about it. If you noticed, I spoke for just 30-45 minutes in the film. The rest was music. The songs were so good that they really took you in - pulled you in the prison sequences.
You were superb in the prison sequences. Was it draining enacting them?
Physically, it was, because I wanted to look weak. I stopped working out. I used to be drained by the evening but, emotionally, it was always a high.
Do you see a spiritual transformation in yourself after the film?
Not really. I think spiritual transformation comes from within.
The film has been well received, with accolades pouring in from all quarters. Recently the team met Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamiji at a special function. What was that experience like?
It was elevating. In fact, Swamiji went to the theatre himself and saw the film. He loved it. A lot of people have a lot of things to say about Swamijis. Whenever I have met any of them -- be it Chinna Jeeyar or Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamiji -- I feel they are learned people. They know the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita. So, when you ask them a question about the scriptures or anything else, they have answers. There are very few people like that, and I respect them for that. Getting compliments from such wise, learned and knowledgeable people is very flattering.