Nani and Keerthy Suresh have brushed aside speculations that their upcoming Telugu-language movie Dasara would resemble Allu Arjun’s 2021 blockbuster Pushpa; The Rise.

“The comparisons were mostly based on the Dasara teaser and trailer. We will have to wear such clothes in any rural story. These speculations will go away and nobody will raise any questions once the film arrives in cinemas on March 30,” he said.

Echoing Nani’s words, Keerthy said Dasara would be completely different from Pushpa. “All these films have a raw edge to them. Sometimes it may look like that the rawness comes from the same place. But if you go deep into the story, it’s entirely different.”

The Telugu stars were speaking at the Dhoom Dhaam song launch event from Dasara in Mumbai yesterday. The event was also attended by Diksheeth Shetty and Rana Daggubati.

“Dasara is my 29th film. But this is my most emotional film and this is the most vulnerable character I have ever played. Emotions don’t become less only because it’s a mass action film. No matter how masculine we look, all of us have a child inside us. Few hide it better and few don’t. When you watch the film, you’ll realise that it’s an emotional action film,” said Nani, when asked whether emotions took a backseat while doing a mass action film.

The story of Dasara is set against the backdrop of coal mines in Telangana. Talking about preparing for his role as Dharani, Nani revealed, “I had to grow my hair and beard. But mental preparation was more important than physical preparation for this film. The more I understood the script, the better prepared I was for the film.”

Narrating her experience of shooting for the film, Keerthy said she had to resort to her bratty side for playing Vennela in the film. “My character comes up with a lot of Telangana slang, something which I had not done before. So, that needed some practice. It also required me to showcase my bratty side. However, it did not require any practice because I am like that,” she explained.

Dasara’s release in Mumbai on March 30 will coincide with the day Ajay Devgn-Tabu-starrer Bholaa is going to hit cinemas. Incidentally, Ajay Devgn and Kajol had provided voiceovers for the opening credits of Nani’s film Eega’s Hindi dubbed version Makkhi.

“I got introduced here with his support. Now also it feels like I have come here with the moral support of Bholaa. So, if I am in Mumbai on that day, I’ll watch Bholaa first and then watch Dasara,” said Nani about the box office clash.

While the cross-pollination of actors from different film industries is becoming the new trend, would Nani like to work with anyone in particular from the Hindi film industry? “Anyone. If I like the story then I’ll definitely collaborate,” revealed the Telugu star.

Directed by Srikanth Odela, Dasara will hit the theatres on March 30.