'Mahanati' is the biopic of legendary actress Savitri.. the film unit has searched for the actors to portray yesteryear actors & technicians characters. They found actors for all the characters but they couldn't find the actor who can play NTR role.
They have initially approached Jr NTR but he refused to play his grandfather role. He said that he doesn't have the eligibility to play his grandfather's role. He reiterated the same in the 'Mahanati' audio function as well. There were reports in the media that the makers have approached Nani for NTR role. We don't know what Nani told them but finally, Mahanati team completed NTR portions with digital format NTR.
While speaking at the audio launch of 'Mahanati', Nani has accepted that he was approached for a role. He went on to say that he couldn't do the role for some reasons. He gave an interesting speech at the event. He said that all the people who worked for 'Mahanati' are close to him. "I worked with Samantha in two films.. I worked for 'Yevade Subramanyam' in the same banner in the direction of Nag Ashwin.. Vijay Deverakonda also acted in that film. Keerthy Suresh became a family member after 'Nen Local'.. I have dubbed my voice for Dulquer Salmaan in 'OK Bangaram'. I feel like it is my own film. But I missed the opportunity to act in my film."
He said that he is missing in his own film. Nani said that Nag Ashwin came up with with a caption 'From the top of the Himalayas to the theaters' in 'Yevade Subramanyam' trailer. He suggested that Mahanati trailer should have a caption 'From heaven to the theaters.'