I’ve got to live up to huge expectations: Naga

It’s son-rise time in Tollywood. A fortnight after his debut in Hyderabad tinseltown, Naga Chaitanya seems relaxed and in a peaceful frame of HEIR APPARENT: Actor Naga Chaitanya strikes a pose exclusively for Hyderabad Times. mind. His maiden film has received ‘mixed’ response all over the state and the young actor says he’s glad that the film has “struck a chord with youngsters.” For him, “academics is important” and is glad that his debut film portrayed the same message. “I want to do sensible films,” he avers. Was this why the star son refused Kotha Bangaru Lokam? And isn’t his first screen outing Josh, inspired by his father’s (Nagarjuna) Shiva? “I don’t think Josh was inspired by any film. Any similarities between the two films are coincidental.” Chaitanya sounds excited about working with maestro A R Rahman for his second film being directed by Gautham Menon. “Of course it’s like a dream come true for me. My second film is also an original and not a remake of any film,” he points out firmly. For someone who has films in his bloodline and hails from one the most noted film families of Tollywood, is that a boon or a bane? “Oh, it is a boon to have a lineage like mine. Of course there’s additional responsibility and I have to live up to expectations all the time, but that’s fine with me,” says Chaitanya. A trained actor, Chaitanya did a course at New York Film Academy and learnt dancing to “master the basics”. And hey, if you thought this 22-year-old is anything like the rebel student he plays in his film, then think again. Chaitanya, a commerce grad claims he did have his “share of fun” but was never “irresponsible.” In fact, he’s disciplined enough not to party “too much” and chills out only at “select affairs.” And his passions are simple: watching movies, listening to music and working out, just like any other Gen I professional.