I'll release my future films in Tamil: Mahesh Babu

The Telugu superstar was in Chennai on Tuesday to promote his latest, Selvandhan (Srimanthudu in Telugu), set to release on August 7.

Telugu actor Mahesh Babu’s ‘ Selvandhan’ is all set for release on Friday —File photo

After the stupendous success of the Tamil version of the big-budget Baahubali in Tamil Nadu, the Telugu film industry seems to be waking up to the Tamil market and willing to test the waters here.

Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, who grew up and studied in Chennai, was in the city on Tuesday to promote his latest, Selvandhan ( Srimanthudu in Telugu), set to release on August 7.

Speaking in fluent Tamil, the actor says, “This is the first time my film is simultaneously releasing in Telugu and Tamil.”

Asked why he has not done a straight Tamil film despite knowing the language so well, he said, “Many of my movies have been remade here and have been big hits. I never got a straight script.”

However, Mahesh Babu reiterated that his future films would have a simultaneous Tamil release as well. “My next film, Brahmotsavam , will have a Tamil release. I am planning to speak Tamil myself,” he said.

The film

Selvandhan , says Mahesh, has what it takes to work well at the Tamil box-office. “It is a family drama. We have touched upon a number of emotional flash points that the Tamil audiences will definitely relate to. The film also features a number of familiar Tamil faces and it has been shot in several places in Tamil Nadu. We hope it will work,” he said.

The film is actually getting a delayed release. Mahesh Babu had deferred the release by a few weeks so as not to clash with the release of Baahubali , and to give it a solo run. “It was supposed to release on the same day, but I thought such a big-budget film coming out from the Telugu industry must be supported. So, in the best interests of everyone, I thought it was best to release this film after Baahubali has had its run,” he said. He also refused to divulge details about his next with the director of Baahubali , S.S. Rajamouli. Despite their roots in Chennai and proficiency in Tamil, several Telugu superstars have been relctant to take a shot at the Tamil box-office.

Sreedhar Pillai, film trade analyst, points out that it is up to the individual producers to seek newer markets to exploit. “The market is wide open now. Those who don’t want to experiment cannot survive,” he said.