Dancing with Allu

He has a strong filmy background, but never thought of becoming an actor himself. “I am an actor by chance,” he laughs. In every movie, he experiments with a new look, which has fetched him the title of being a style icon of Tollywood.

Known for his rom-coms and great dance moves, he recently entered the world of connubial bliss. From making his debut as a protagonist in Gangotri in 2001, to giving a great performance in his latest flick Badrinath, actor Allu Arjun has come a long way and has completed a decade in this industry. Ask him to explain his journey so far, and Arjun begins, “The journey has been from one to 10 — a zero has been added.The journey has been incredible and I can’t describe it all. But, all I can say is that it is all about having the right balance.” But, did he always want to be an actor? “I wanted to be a piano teacher.

Then I thought I should be a martial arts teacher.

Then, I pursued animation.Post which I decided to get into films.” Ask him about his obsession with being a teacher as a child and he promptly confesses, “Well, back then I thought I was good at martial arts and that I could probably get better than my teacher and then take over his profession.” Even though his childhood dream of being a martial arts teacher did not materialise, his basics in the sport and gymnastics did make his dancing a lot easier.

“I did not know I could dance until I started dancing in films. I was always interested in the choreography aspect of films, and being a gymnast definitely made it easier for me to dance,” says the actor. Having tied the knot a few months ago with his sweetheart Sneha Reddy, Arjun says that nothing much has changed post marriage.  “It’ll hit me later I guess. For now, everything is pretty much the same. It’s like dating,” confesses the romantic in him. What next? “I will start shooting for an untitled Telugu film next month,” reveals Arjun.

As for any plans for a cross over into Bollywood, and the actor clarifies that he would want to get into the Tamil film industry.

“I want to stay rooted. I am basically from Chennai and would love to do a Tamil film next,” explains the actor. “Success is the destination and not the journey, and I am yet to reach my destination,” says the actor as he signs off

Hunt for dancers The second season of ‘7UP Star with Allu’ was launched in the city on Tuesday. Open to everyone across the country, this contest will provide seven dance enthusiasts an opportunity to feature in a music video with actor Allu Arjun. The monthlong contest begins on October 23 and will take place in eight cities across Andhra Pradesh and also in Bengaluru.

To enter the contest, one has to submit a registration form along with a collection of a mix of seven pet label of 7UP/ Nimbooz or returnable glass bottle crowns of 7UP/Nimbooz, passport size photograph and any identity proof.