Rana now hopes to make a real connect with Bollywood. "Though I've shot for a Hindi film I don't feel like a Bollywood actor because we shot it in Goa, and in a totally relaxed atmosphere on the beach. Now in Mumbai I plan to do my liaison work. "
One of the first people Rana wants to re-connect with in Bollywood is Anil Kapoor.
Says the Telugu-going-into-Hindi star, "My father (producer D Suresh Babu) and Mr Anil Kapoor share the same birthday. I call him 'Bombay Daddy'.
I've known him from when I was 5. He used to be in Hyderabad constantly shooting for my grandfather (D Rama Naidu) films. Strangely I never met Sonam Kapoor until we were both much older. Anil Kapoor and his family are like my family. "
He's much pleased with his role as a musician in Dum Maro Dum. After having got himself two coaches on location, at the last minute Rana got himself a new guitar coach.
"I had two guitar coaches to make sure I made all the right moves on the strings. But when I was not satisfied with my progress I got the composer Pritam Chakraborty's guitarist Atanu who's from Assam, to teach me the right licks. I think I look like real player. "
Apparently Bipasha who co-stars with Rana took a great shine to him. The two got along like a house on fire.
Rana admits he had fun. "We were shooting on the beach. Between shots we'd just be lounging around near the water. It was all very calm and soothing. Now in Mumbai we shoot in a studio. Not that I mind. I grew up in studios. I love the smell and the feeling inside studios. "
After Dum Maro Dum Rana returns to Telugu cinema for two films. While one is a home production to be directed by a new director the other directed by Selvaragavan is a huge period film set during the Indus civilization.
"So you see I'm quite busy, and I've absolotuely no time for a personal life. For this, I blame Rohan Sippy and Selvaragavan."