His Hotness

When the crew initially began to shoot,Rana’s macho yet urbane looks were a talking point on the sets too. The film’s stylist Falguni Thakore took inspiration from his earthy looks to add her own touch to his wardrobe. “Minimalism was key. We did not want to accessorise too much because even the most basic clothes suited his physique,” says Thakore,who added only wooden Rosary and earrings as accessories. Rana,easily slipped into this natural and easy look,which in fact helped him “pay more attention” to his dialogues and scenes,he admits. Momaya feels that besides the looks,it is the warmth and sensibility he exudes,that makes him ‘sexy’. “Gone are the days of larger than life romantic heroes,it is the in-your-face variety that is more appealing.”

The actor,made his debut with a Telugu film Leader,which made him a star overnight. The film established his credentials in the Telugu film industry,but his good looks didn’t rake in much attention then. “If you see the posters of both my films — Leader and DMD,I look completely different,” smiles the suave actor,who was happy to have bagged this unconventional role. Director Rohan Sippy too was impressed by his looks,personality and presence,when they first met. He wanted to build on this through the film. “There are few actors who will fit into an ensemble and not bring an image with them. I would not have been able to make the film true to the character if there was a star as such,” says Sippy.

For all the flattery that’s pouring in for his sex appeal,his acting abilities did not quite get the thumbs up. “If I am being appreciated for DMD,then it has to be for the character I play and not for the person who I am in reality. So there is no question of people just appreciating my good looks,” he says defensively. Rana’s self-confidence is on a high post DMD,but that’s only obvious. The young actor’s name is currently on top of the casting list of production houses. “From a producer’s point of view,I can assure you that he is the most talked about actor right now,” states Reddy. Merani too feels it is early days to judge him one way or the other. “The role written for him wasn’t really etched out well. He is a charismatic actor and deserves a second chance.”