You’re returning to South cinema after almost 13 years. What attracted you to Junior?
This project came to me three years ago, and at first, I wasn’t sure whether to take it up. Ritesh spoke positively about the story, and after hearing it, I decided to go ahead. The way the director explained my role and the story made it even more exciting.

What makes your character in Junior so special?
I’ve always aimed to take on new and different roles. My character in Junior is something I haven’t done before, which is why I was eager to take it up. It’s a special role, and I’m really excited for the audience to see it.

The trailer suggests that your character might be quite serious. Is that true?
Rather than serious, it’s more of a strong boss character. As the film progresses, my character undergoes significant changes. The director has treated these shifts in a very unique and fresh way.

What can you tell us about Kireeti Reddy?
I’ve worked with many new actors, but Kireeti stood out with his confidence. He is an amazing dancer and performer, and he put in tremendous hard work for the film.

How was it working with cinematographer K.K. Senthil Kumar?
We’ve worked together before on Sai films, and after working on huge projects like Baahubali and RRR, it felt great to collaborate with him again.

You took a break from films at the peak of your career. Do you regret that?
Not at all. Life is full of ups and downs, but I’ve had the privilege of working on some wonderful films. Bommarillu and Hasee are some of my most memorable roles, and even today, audiences remember me by my characters, which gives me immense joy.

Are you planning to continue acting in the future?
Definitely. If good characters come my way, I am ready to act. Even if the character is small, I love playing memorable roles.

How do you think the audience will receive your role in Junior?
Honestly, my character in Junior is very different from anything I’ve done before, and I’m curious to see how the audience reacts. I’m really excited about the release on July 18.

Do you have any dream roles in mind?
Being part of the industry, playing different roles, and receiving love from the audience has already been a dream come true. I don’t think I need any other dream beyond this.

What do you think about your co-star Sri Leela?
Sri Leela is an amazing dancer and performer, and she brings a lot of energy to the film. I really enjoyed working with her.

What do you think about Devi Sri Prasad’s music for the film?
Devi Sri Prasad is a fantastic composer. Having him on board brings a lot of positive energy to the film. The song Viral Vayyari has been a huge hit, and Ritesh also loves it a lot.

How about the producer Sai? What was your experience working with him?
Sai has been incredibly supportive throughout the project. He took great care to ensure the film was made grandly and without any compromises.

You've worked with legends like Kota Srinivasa Rao. What was it like working with him?
Working with Kota Srinivasa Rao was a privilege. I learned so much from him. His absence in the industry is a great loss.

With stars like Ram Charan, NTR, and Bunny taking the Pan-India route, how does it feel to be part of such a big industry?
They are all friends of mine and incredible talents. It’s a joy to see them becoming superstars. Watching them achieve such success makes me incredibly happy.

Any thoughts on working with Ritesh again?
We worked together on the remake of Majili, which was a huge success. I would love to work with Ritesh again if we get the chance for another great love story.

All the best
Thank you