Rana Daggubati reveals why he turned down 'Nia'

Actor Rana Daggubati says he had to turn down designer Vikram Phadnis' directorial debut "Nia", as he was completely involved in the shoot of SS Rajamouli's upcoming magnum opus "Baahubali".

The 30-year-old "Baby" actor said the bulky physique that he has acquired for "Baahubali" was not fit for the character he was supposed to play in Phadnis' film, which is a sensitive, slice-of-story and stars his good friend Bipasha Basu.

Rana Daggubati

"I was supposed to do 'Nia' and then 'Baahubali' happened. We obviously over shot a lot. It was supposed to be a one and half years shoot which took us three years to complete. We doubled everything," Daggubati told PTI.

"I am looking so bulky and Vikram asked me how long was I going to look like this. 'Nia' is a very simple and sensitive story...

"It was important for me to give all my attention and time to 'Baahubali' considering it is such an expensive film and that kind of commitment was required," he said.

"Baahubali", a two-part war drama is being touted as India's biggest motion picture and will hit theatres this Friday. The film has been simultaneously made in Telugu and Tamil and also dubbed in Hindi and Malayalam.

Besides Daggubati, it also stars Prabhas, Tamannaah Bhatia, Anushka Shetty, Ramya Krishnan, Sathyaraj, Nassar, Adivi Sesh, Tanikella Bharani among others.

"It is truly the first Indian film. It is being released in so many languages. The advance bookings in almost all states are full. I am looking forward to its release," Daggubati said.

The actor, who has made his film debut with Telegu movie "Leader" in 2010, has starred in just a handful of Bollywood projects like "Dum Maaro Dum", "Department", "Baby" and a cameo in "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani".

Daggubati said from now on he wants to focus on films, whose content can find pan India audience.

"For me, I am focused on content that can travel. 'Baahubali' is the biggest example of such a film," said Daggubati.

Post "Baahubali", the actor will be seen in "Rudramadevi", "Arjun, Divya Matrum Karthik" and "Achcham Enbadhu Madamaiyada".