Those were the days when there was tough competition between Superstar Krishna’s Kurukshetram and NTRs Daana Veera Soora Karna in terms of filming. It was just then NTR and ANR patched up after few misunderstandings and decided to work together. NTR asked ANR to act as Lord Krishna in Daana Veera Soora Karna, whereas ANR was well aware of his limitations and he knew that Lord Krishna means NTR. Audience cannot accept any other actor apart from NTR in Lord Krishna’s role. That was why ANR politely refused that offer.
A Determined NTR requested, “Brother, why don’t you play Karna’s role instead?” thereby offering the title role to ANR. For that ANR replied, “If I play Karna’s role, Pandavas will look like lilliputs. Leave it Brother!” As a result, NTR had to act as Duryodhana, Lord Krishna and Karna in Daana Veera Soora Karna. Frankly, Chenchulakshmi which had ANR in a mythological role was highly successful. When ANR acted with NTR in Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddham, even it was a hit. However, after watching it, ANR’s wife expressed her opinion saying, “You cannot match NTR in mythological roles!”. Taking his wife’s words sportively, ANR understood her feedback and realized his limitations. That was why ANR rejected the offer in “Daana Veera Soora Karna” later.
However, ANR accepted to act along with NTR in “Chanakya Chandragupta”. Even for this film, NTR wanted to cast ANR in Chandragupta role and he himself wanted to act in Chanakya’s role. When ANR expressed his interest to act in Chanakya’s role, NTR happily accepted it and they both joined hands in making the film.
