Every one connected with Athadu promises edge-of-the-seat excitement.

But it is on the edge of anxiety that the director Trivikram Srinivas and the film's hero and heroine Mahesh Babu and Trisha find themselves in.

For Mahesh Babu, coming out of the failures of Naani and Arjun, the film is a test case as to whether he fits the bill as one of the top stars in the industry. The 'Prince', as his fans call him, will need to show that he has the capacity to rule (the box office).

For Trisha, it is a different kind of problem. She has to show that she can extend her winning streak further. In a fickle world, she is the number one actress now. But she knows that it all depends on how Athadu progresses.

And for Trivikram Srinivas, this is his debut venture as a director. So he needs the perfect launch pad.

With such diverse threads binding the film, Athadu had better be a hit.