Former Indian cricket legend Virender Sehwag recently made a special appearance in Hyderabad for the grand launch of the Tollywood Pro League (TPL). The event turned into a delightful revelation of the Nawab of Najafgarh's cinematic preferences, as he openly discussed his fondness for South Indian films in his life after cricket.
Sehwag's Love for Telugu Cinema in Hindi
During a lively chat with hosts Vindhya Vishaka and Nikhil Vijayendra Simha, Sehwag was asked about his viewing habits concerning South Indian cinema. The iconic batsman confessed to being a big fan. He clarified that while he doesn't understand Telugu or Tamil, he regularly enjoys these movies through their Hindi-dubbed versions.
To the amusement of the audience, Sehwag even recited a famous dialogue from Allu Arjun's blockbuster 'Pushpa', saying, "I remember the dialogue 'saala jhukega nahi' from Pushpa." This showcased his genuine engagement with the content beyond just passive viewing.
Mahesh Babu Tops Sehwag's Favourite List
The conversation naturally led to Sehwag naming his preferred stars from the Telugu film industry. With his characteristic humour, he joked about "having nothing to do" post-retirement, which allows him ample time to watch movies.
He listed top actors like Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, and Prabhas as his regular watches. However, he didn't hesitate to pick a clear favourite. "My favourite Telugu hero is Mahesh Babu. I also like Allu Arjun, Prabhas…I watched Baahubali a couple of times," Sehwag declared, cementing Superstar Mahesh Babu's position at the top of his list.
What's Next for Sehwag's Favourite Stars?
On the professional front, the actors named by Sehwag are busy with massive upcoming projects. Mahesh Babu is currently deep into the shooting of his highly anticipated film, 'Varanasi'. This magnum opus is being directed by the acclaimed SS Rajamouli and promises to be a grand action-adventure. The film boasts a stellar cast including global icon Priyanka Chopra and Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Following the historic success of 'Pushpa 2: The Rule', Allu Arjun has moved on to an exciting new venture. He is collaborating with director Atlee on a sci-fi film, which is tentatively titled 'AA22xA6'.
Rebel Star Prabhas, another of Sehwag's mentions, has a packed slate. His next release will be the horror-comedy 'The Raja Saab'. Fans can further expect to see him in 'Fauzi', directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, and 'Spirit', directed by the formidable Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
Sehwag's candid revelations at the TPL launch highlight the growing pan-India appeal of Tollywood and how its stars have captivated audiences far beyond their linguistic region, including celebrated sports personalities.
