With Sarileru Neekevvaru doing extremely well, Mahesh Babu is now looking at his next film.

“It will be with my Maharshi director Vamshi Paidipally,” Mahesh Babu tells me in an exclusive conversation. “It will again be in the commercial space.”

Apparently Mahesh plays a gangster in his next film.

Right now he’s off for a break with wife Namrata and children Gautam and Sitara. “Whenever I travel I always take my wife and children with me. Makes no sense to travel without them,” he says with a soft smile.

Analyzing the success of Sarileru Neekevvaru Mahesh Babu says, “I think many factors worked in favour of Sarileru Neekevvaru. It is a film within the commercial format, and yet I’ve done the kind of comedy and action that the audience hasn’t seen me do in a very long time.”

Plus there is the song Mind Block.

Chuckles Mahesh Babu, “Audiences were surprised to see me in a lungi. I haven’t been so informal on screen for a very long time. Viewers are coming back just to watch me and Rashmika (Mandanna) dance to Mind Block.”

The Superstar feels gratified. “I am ecstatic, grateful, humbled. I am glad I did a role that is so close to the masses. They’ve felt a deep connect with my character. I will continue to occupy the commercial space. Within that space, I’ll try to do something different each time.”

Mahesh Babu is all praise for his co-star Vyjayashanthi. “She is a legend in her own right. She has made a comeback to the screen after 13 years. We are so proud to have her in our film.”