His Hotness

The chiselled body,washboard abs and long locks in DMD may be earning Daggubati all the admiration now,but when he first came to movies,he was “slightly overweight”,confirms his Hyderabad-based fitness trainer Kunal Gir. “Rana,however,is very determined to do what he is told. He likes to look muscular,so he works out a lot and eats a low-carb diet,” confirms Gir. While Bollywood is busy serenading chocolate boys like Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan,it is Daggubati’s action hero image is desperately seeking takers. He didn’t quite measure up to a simmering action hero in DMD but there is potential. Model-actor-producer Sushma Reddy feels that there are very few South Indian heroes,who have a pan-India appeal. “He isn’t just good looking but also smart to have accepted the role of Joki in his debut Bollywood film.”

When the crew initially began to shoot,Rana’s macho yet urbane looks were a talking point on the sets too. The film’s stylist Falguni Thakore took inspiration from his earthy looks for his wardrobe. “Minimalism was key. We did not want to accessorise too much because even the most basic clothes suited his physique,” says Thakore,who added only wooden Rosary and earrings as accessories. Rana,easily slipped into this natural and easy look,which in fact helped him “pay more attention” to his dialogues and scenes,he admits. Momaya feels that besides looks,it is the warmth and sensibility he exudes,that makes him ‘sexy’. “Gone are the days of larger than life romantic heroes,it is the in-your-face variety that is more appealing.”

The actor,made his debut with a Telugu film Leader,which made him a star overnight. The film established his credentials in the Telugu film industry,but his good looks didn’t rake in much attention then. “If you see the posters of Leader and DMD,I look completely different,” smiles the suave actor. Director Rohan Sippy too was impressed by his looks,personality and presence,when they first met. He wanted to build on this through the film. “There are few actors who will fit into an ensemble and don’t bring an image with them. I would not have been able to make the film true to the character if there was a star as such,” says Sippy.

For all the flattery that’s pouring in for his sex appeal,his acting abilities did not quite get the thumbs up. “If I am being appreciated for DMD,then it has to be for the character I play and not for the person who I am in reality. So there is no question of people just appreciating my good looks,” he says defensively. Rana’s self-confidence is on a high post DMD,but that’s only obvious. The young actor’s name is currently on top of the casting list of production houses. “From a producer’s point of view,I can assure you that he is the most talked about actor right now,” states Reddy. Merani too feels it is too early to judge him. “The role written for him wasn’t really etched out well. He is a charismatic actor and deserves a second chance.”