Bunny Magic Enchants

 

Allu Arjun finds it a rather unique feeling to have a crazy fan following in Kerala. “Very few Telugu heroes enjoy this rare honour. I am proud of it,” says the ‘youth icon’, who is much loved for his wacko moves and ‘style’ by the Malayali audience.

In the city to promote his latest film Gajapokkiri (dubbed from his Telugu blockbuster Julayi), Allu Arjun says he is indebted to the crowds in Kerala for accepting him as one of “their own heroes”. Gajapokkiri, which released last week, has already got cash registers ringing.

Julayi, which collected over Rs. 6 crore in Andhra Pradesh on the first day of its release, was pitched rightly as a blockbuster, says Arjun. “It had all the elements of a super hit. The director, Trivikram Srinivas, himself has a huge following. And Devi Prasad, who has done the music, has come out with some brilliant stuff. I just had to play my part. Ours is a winning combination,” says the star who is looking for a big break in Tamil. “I would love to explore my options in Tamil as well as Malayalam,” he says.

Stylish Star, Bunny...

Arjun has several quirky sobriquets to match his on-screen persona. Hoardings announcing his films flaunt them, too. Mallu Arjun, Stylish Star, Bunny…are some of the most popular. Most of Arjun’s films have been dubbed to Malayalam. Arya, Happy, Desamuduru and Parugu were well received. “It is probably his smartness that makes him so dear to the Malayali audience,” says producer Khader Hassan, whose Redhak Arts has dubbed nine of Arjun’s films to Malayalam. “I watched Arya and I was hooked. I watched the very next show, too. I was amazed by the way he could capture the audience’s attention,” he says. Hassan believed that Arjun’s unique antics would go down well with the Malayali audience and they sure did. “He is not entirely an action hero; he is not only a romantic hero either. It is the lovable prankster image coupled with his talent in dancing that works magic with the Malayali youth,” he adds.

Arjun’s role in Gajapokkiri has shades of a ‘super hero’ material, a slightly different attempt compared to the usual Allu Arjun characters. The film tells the story of two men, who are bitter enemies, played by Allu Arjun and Sonu Sood. The entertaining plot involves action, dance and comedy. Illeana D’Cruz plays Arjun’s love interest.

The 29-year-old actor, who is busy shuttling between locations in and outside the country, says he makes sure he has some time for himself. “There are lots of things to do. Lots of movies to catch. Lots of places to visit…I try to bring in every real life experience into my acting,” he says.