As Gautamiputra Satakarni is all set for a grand release, lead actor Nandamuri Balakrishna on Tuesday shared the latest updates on the shooting at a ritual in Film Nagar in the city. The actor emphasised how elated he was to share the screen with Bollywood queen Hema Malini. "Gautamiputra Satakarni wouldn't have been possible without Hema Malini. She played a powerful role as a mother and I am thankful that she took this film," said Balakrishna addressing the media. More from the world of Entertainment: While Shriya Saran will be pairing with him as the female lead in the movie, the film also features popular Bollywood actor Hema Malini playing the role of Satakarni’s mother. Under National Award-winner Krish's direction, the film is said to be made on a big budget of Rs 70 crore with many sequences shot in exotic and unexplored locations. "We shot many sequences in locations of Morocco and Georgia along with places in Madhya Pradesh's Maheshwar city," Balakrishna added. The movie is based on the life history of a warrior of the Satavahana empire in the second century CE, Gautamiputra Satakarni. “Though I heard many scripts and stories and fortunately, director Krish came forward with Gautamiputra’s script and then I realised that this will be a great role as Satakarni gave us the history and the Telugu calendar. It is also unfortunate to find out that only a few people know the history of this ruler, and this made me more determined to give a life to the character,” Balakrishna had earlier said at the movie launch. Gautamiputra Satakarni is the 100th movie of N Balakrishna’s acting career. The release of the movie incidentally clashes with Megastar Chiranjeevi’s 150th movie, Khaidi No 150. Balakrishna, after recent titles like Legend, Lion and Simha, will be seen in a completely new look for this film. With double the budget of his highest grosser, the movie is a much-awaited treat for his fan base and for himself too.
