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Nagarjuna: I can do only mature love story at this age

Nagarjuna Akkineni is looking younger in his films of late. "The youngsters have complimented me on my looks saying, uncle, you look so young," says the super star.

In Greeku Veerudu (titled Love Story for a while during the shoot) he plays a non-resident Indian, with spiked hair and a goatee. 

He teams up with Dasaradh (who directed Santosham) after a decade. D Siva Prasad Reddy produces Greeku Veerudu under the Kamakshi Kala Movies banner.

'Greeku Veerudu is an apt title'

Greeku Veerudu was a popular song from the Krishnavamsi directed Nag-Tabu starrer Ninne Pelladutha. 

"I used to hear people say Greeku Veerudu, perhaps referring to a good looking person. I was convinced by the producer and director that Greeku Veerudu is an apt title. I thought people may think it's an action film from the word veerudu.  But the characterisation made them title it Greeku Veerudu,'' says Nagarjuna.  

"I can do only a mature love story at this age," he laughs. "This film is an entertaining one with subtle emotions. What the youth want has also been kept in mind. Santosham was one of my best films. People watch it even now. It won awards at that time. I'm happy to do another film with Dasaradh after 10 years."

'I play a Casanova-like character'

Director Dasaradh says Nag plays an event manager in the film. 

"I play a Casanova-like character who grows up in Western culture with no idea of Indian emotions. Nayanthara plays a character who is the complete opposite. For her, emotion is important, life and family are important. Where the friendship between the characters leads to forms the film," explains Nag.

The super star has been changing his looks constantly for each film from Rajanna, Damarukam, Shirdi Sai, and Greeku Veerudu. 

"The response from the young generation has been fantastic. It has given me a lot of energy. There's a lot of team work which has gone into this also – from the dress designers, make-up people to the camera person." 

'The changeover from Shirdi Sai to Love Story was difficult initially'

He adds that from playing a saint from Shirdi to an NRI has been quite a challenge. "The changeover from Shirdi Sai to Love Story was difficult initially. Shirdi Sai was a spiritual film. I got to know Sai Baba. There were changes in my life too. It took me a month to get over it. I enjoyed shooting as we were laughing all through. M S Narayana is always with me, wearing a suit and roaming in a Ferrari!"

The director says K Vishwanath plays an important character in the film. Among other members of the cast are Brahmanandam, M S Narayana, Ali, Raghubabu, and Venu Madhav. 

According to the producer Siva Prasad Reddy, "Dasaradh has made a good film under my banner."

Greeku Veerudu will release on April 19.