Celebrated filmmaker SS Rajamouli, known for his grand-scale productions, has redefined Telugu cinema and taken it to the international stage. His name is synonymous with Pan-India blockbusters, and major stars across the industry wait eagerly for a chance to work under his direction.
Among the many actors who rose to fame through Rajamouli’s films is Tollywood star Anushka Shetty. The actress, who starred in three successful films directed by Rajamouli, once played a light-hearted prank on him that recently went viral after the director shared the anecdote himself.
While speaking about his experience working with various actors, Rajamouli explained, “Some artists grasp the scene as soon as it’s explained, while others prefer to see it acted out. But it’s not always practical to enact every scene.”
However, during the shoot of Vikramarkudu (2006), Anushka Shetty insisted that Rajamouli act out a romantic scene, and not just any scene, but one involving her co-star Ravi Teja. Laughing, Rajamouli recounted how he had to act out a romantic sequence in front of the entire crew.
All three of Rajamouli’s films with Anushka Shetty were major successes, cementing her position as one of the top actresses in Tollywood.
Meanwhile, Rajamouli continues to push cinematic boundaries. His latest project, tentatively titled SSMB29, features Mahesh Babu in the lead and Priyanka Chopra as the female lead. The film is already making headlines for its massive scale, reportedly made on a Rs 1,200 crore budget and expected to earn over Rs 3,000 crore at the box office.
Interestingly, Mahesh Babu has reportedly opted out of a fixed fee and instead will receive a share in the post-release profits, which could lead to a massive payday.