Telugu film star Mahesh Babu called Ranbir Kapoor “the best actor in India”, heaping praise on the Animal star during a pre-release event for the upcoming film in Hyderabad on Monday.

“I have told him before when I met him but I don't think he took that seriously. I am a huge Ranbir Kapoor fan and in my opinion he is the best actor in India,” the 48-year-old actor said at the event.

Ranbir, who was sitting in the audience, could not stop smiling. Apart from Ranbir, the event was attended by the entire team of Animal, including Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol and Rashmika Mandanna. T-Series did a live telecast on YouTube during the event and dropped the video later in the day.

When Ranbir came up to the stage, he praised Mahesh and recalled the time he watched one of the latter’s movies and immediately texted him. “You were the first superstar Mahesh Babu I ever met. I remember messaging him after watching Okkadu and he replied, ‘and I can't thank you enough for supporting sir’,” Ranbir said. He concluded his speech by chanting, “Jai Babu, Jai Babu.”

Animal revolves around Ranbir’s obsessive devotion for his father, played by Anil, stemming from the latter’s absence in his childhood. As an adult, Ranbir turns into a vicious man with flowing hair and murderous eyes, determined to protect his father at all costs.

Co-produced by T-Series and Cine1 Studios, Animal was previously slated to release in theatres in September. But to avoid a clash with the release of Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, its premiere was rescheduled. The film, which also stars Tripti Dimri and Shakti Kapoor, is now set to hit theatres on December 1.