Why NTR, Mahesh Did Not Do The Iconic Role?

Director Gunasekhar shot to fame doing historical and mythological entertainers. He also scored commercial hits with megastar Chiranjeevi's Choodalani Undi and superstar Mahesh Babu's Okkadu. He attracted all with Anushka's Rudhramadevi. Stylish Start Allu Arjun did a powerful cameo playing the role of Gona Ganna Reddy.

Many rumors spread that either Mahesh Babu or NTR would do the role. Gunasekhar clarifying on this said, "I was inspired by Brave Heart to make Rudhramadevi. After Okkadu, I was offered the highest remuneration in the south. At that time, I planned to do Rudhramadevi and narrated the story to a few producers. Few articles also came in the media. Though producers liked the story, they asked me to change the film into hero oriented. I refused to do and finally I myself produced Rudhramadevi".

Gunasekhar further said, "After Mahesh's Okkadu, I planned to do film with NTR. When the project was about to go to sets, I felt the story was not right. When I planned Rudhramadevi, Mahesh and NTR's names did rounds. They know the role very well. They themselves showed interest in doing the role. However, things were not conducive at that time. Later Allu Arjun did the role. I will definitely do a film with NTR in the future".