The Mahesh Babu starrer Sarileru Neekevvaru and the Allu Arjun starrer Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo have turned out to be big successes. However, the way the two films have been pitched against one another with negative stories being planted by mysterious forces from opposite camps puts a big question mark on the ethics of box-office competition.

When I asked the softspoken Mahesh Babu about this, he had only this to say, “We don’t believe in underhand tactics, or in talking negatively about the other’s works. Never in my career have I resorted to shady ways of winning at the box-office. Whatever has come my way has come only from hard work, good vibes, supportive family and above all, loyal fans. Beyond that, I’ve nothing to say.”