It’s been a fabulous year for Nani, who is basking in the back-to-back success of Nenu Local and Ninnu Kori. He hopes to end 2017 with a bang as he awaits the release of MCA (Middle Class Abbayi), slated for release on December 21. At the film’s pre-release event in Warangal on Saturday evening, he opened up about the film and thanked all those who made it possible.
Directed by debutant Venu Sriram, the film was entirely shot in Warangal. “I’m touched by the love you people have showered upon this Middle Class Abbayi,” Nani said referring to himself. “Today, I feel every Middle Class Abbayi has become a hero. We shot the entire film in Warangal, away from home, but I never felt homesick thanks to you people. The support I got from the people of this town and from the police department while shooting made MCA very special. Thanks to all the fans from Warangal to whom I’ll always be indebted.”
Nani heaped praise on his co-stars Sai Pallavi and Vijay Varma of Pink and Monsoon Shootout fame. “Pallavi and I thoroughly enjoyed working together. She’s become my favorite co-star. Vijay, who plays the villain, is a very good performer. We’ve become great friends off-screen,” Nani said, emphasizing that the film celebrates middle class lifestyle and aspiration. “When Venu narrated the script, I could visualize myself in the character because I come from a middle class background. Venu, too, comes from a similar background and I strongly feel the story will resonate and connect with every middle class youngster,” he added.
Sai Pallavi, who forayed into Telugu filmdom with runaway hit Fidaa earlier this year, used the occasion to thank everyone associated with the project. “Director Venu worked really hard for the film and I pray that he succeeds,” she said.
The film also stars Bhumika Chawla in a crucial role and Pallavi was all praise for her. “There was so much I learnt from Bhumika madam. She’s a great actor and a good human being. I hope she continues to do more films. I also thank my producers Raju and Sirish for keeping me comfortable throughout the course of the shoot. Finally, I need thank the fans for accepting me as their daughter.”
The film has been produced by Dil Raju and it’s the sixth outing in his banner this year. “We’re hoping to score a double hat-trick. No other banner has produced and released so many films in a single year and has been successful.”
Talking about MCA, Raju thanked all those people who helped him shoot smoothly in Warangal. “Both Nani and Pallavi agreed to be part of MCA while they were shooting for their last films. Both of them are natural performers and I’m sure audiences will love to see them on screen.”
Raju called Pallavi as one of the pillars of the film. “While Nani is the hero, I truly believe Pallavi has a crucial part to play too. She’s one of the pillars along with Bhumika and Vijay. Every household will have a sister-in-law. MCA explores the relationship between a sister-in-law, her husband and her brother-in-law. Everybody who has seen the film has been in awe of Bhumika’s performance. I feel this will be a very strong comeback for her.”
At the ticket window, MCA will lock horns with Akhil’s Hello, which releases a day after the former hits the screens. At a press meet last week in Hyderabad, Dil Raju said that two big films can release together and have a good run. “I don’t think there’ll be any competition between MCA and Hello. I believe both the films can do well. If theatres can accommodate 4-5 films releasing during Sankranti festival every year, I don’t think there’ll be any problems to have two films release together during any week. I saw the visuals of Hello, and they look very rich. I wish both the films succeed.”
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