Even after acting in over 500 films and gearing up for the release of Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu which happens to be his 181st film as hero, Mohan Babu is as excited as his previous films. Well-known for his discipline attitude, Mohan Babu is a very strict producer, actor in the industry. In an exclusive and elaborate interview to Gulte, Mohan Babu says he can’t shut his mouth when he finds something wrong around him. He says he can’t spare corruption.
“I hear people saying that I’m very serious person. Yes, when people don’t come on time, I get angry. If you don’t come on time, flight won’t wait for you. If you don’t come on time, movie won’t wait for you. It’ll be screened as per time. There you pay and still you go on time as they won’t wait for you. But when it comes to films shootings, you (actors) take money, take remunerations and still come to sets late wasting money of producers and time of other artistes,” fires Mohan Babu who has been acting for over 40 years in the film industry.
Throwing an open challenge, Mohan Babu says, “Show me one person who complains about my production house that it hasn’t paid actors on time. Even if it’s delayed, we will inform them in prior. When we’re paying them on time, it’s common to expect them to come to shoot on time. Producer pays lot of interest and investing huge monies, he’s taking big risk as he is not sure whether he incurs profits or losses but he pays to people who all works for his film. In my opinion, producer is the real King.”
“I can proudly say that old is gold. Those generation of actors, filmmakers are very different from present age actors, filmmakers. I don’t want to point out any individual but most of them are like that. Only 5 per cent of present day starts, makers are punctual, committed. Rest 95% sans discipline, dedication,” says Mohan Babu.
“Even after 23 years long, Ramya Krishna and Meena are still same. Either in discipline or in their acting commitment, I haven’t observed any change. They’re still very passionate about acting and dedicated to the roles, films they choose,” shares Mohan Babu about his co-stars in his latest film Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu.
Talking about Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu, Mohan Babu gives a peep into film. “After Allari Mogudu, I haven’t acted in such film yet. Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu is such film that is so close to my heart. I have two wives in the film. It has a reason. Why did I marry twice? What led to it? I have a daughter (Poorna) and Alludu (Allari Naresh). What’s the tiff I’m going to have with him? There are several twists in the movie. It’s going to be complete hilarious.”
Prod him what he observed in young generation stars. “I don’t want to talk about present generation stars. While few are exception, most of others don’t know how to deliver dialogue properly or pronounce Telugu well. I give very least credit for dances. Acting is different from dancing. Dialogue modulation, delivery, facial expressions matter a lot in my opinion.”
“Many say I’m angry person. I can’t shut my mouth when I see wrong things around me. I won’t spare corruption. Since I came from middle-class family, I am always against to corruption. My children (Vishnu, Manoj, Lakshmi) keep telling me not to talk about politics, I try to be silent. How can a juvenile get away from punishment even after proved of guilty for a gruesome rape, murder of a girl. What’s this law? It needs immediate correction. What’s the message we’re sending it to the new generation?, ” says an upset Mohan Babu.
Mohan Babu challenges that he is so clean and haven’t committed any wrong even as he represented Member of Raya Sabha. “I can proudly say that I haven’t done single mistake in my cinema career or political career. That’s why I’m able to talk such boldly. I challenge anyone to show single mistake of mine.”
Meanwhile, Mohan Babu is all confident of his next Mama Manchu Alludu Kanchu which is being produced by his elder son-actor Vishnu Manchu. On parting note he says he wants to continue as an actor and admits his love for villain roles.