Buzz is that Angela Jonson and Kajal Aggarwal were also in the running for the role. Kriti has done a bit of modelling.
A source says, "This is the first time that a new girl has been signed opposite a big star like Mahesh Babu. The film also marks the return of the maker-actor combination that gave the blockbuster Dookudu earlier this year.
Incidentally, it is the same film that Salman Khan wanted to remake but the deal fell through." Apparently, Kriti impressed them in her screen test with her ability to connect with the camera.