My father asked me to learn from Tarak (Jr NTR) anna: Akhil Akkineni

After receiving a lukewarm response for his first two films -- fantasy drama, Akhil and romantic action thriller, Hello -- actor Akhil Akkineni is hoping to break his box-office jinx with his third film, Mr Majnu, which hits the screens this Friday. “These films taught me important lessons and the setbacks have made me a better person. I have always taken note of my onscreen mistakes and am waiting to see the audience's reaction post the release of Mr Majnu,” he shares.

Asked about how he landed the role, the actor says, “I have been friends with Venky (Atluri, the director) for 10 years. Mr Majnu's script was offered to me even before my first film, Akhil, was released. As I was committed to other films, I asked Venky to not wait for me and go ahead with another actor. Surprisingly, he reserved this script for me, and after wrapping up our respective films, we started this project.”

Akhil says Mr.Manju is a film that offers wholesome entertainment. “It’s a riveting love story loaded with good music, emotions, action, and youth appeal. The entire first half revolves around my character and it was quite challenging to portray it. But I enjoyed doing it as the role gave me a sense of fulfilment.”
 
The actor says he has realised the importance of choosing roles carefully. “I have been feeling the pressure ever since my debut film was announced. High expectations surrounding my films has made me take conscious efforts to choose scripts carefully.”

At the pre-release event of the film, Nagarjuna had asked Akhil to focus firmly on doing out-and-out commercial films. “My dad wanted me to reinvent myself as a commercial hero and work in films that have all the mandatory elements that qualify for a mass entertainer. He wanted me to learn the mass hero niche from Tarak (Jr NTR) anna. But I don't know how to go about it, so I should seek his help,” says Akhil.