Rana Daggubati: 'I'm staying in the South'

Rana Daggubati has insisted that he will not move to Mumbai to kickstart his Bollywood career.

The actor made his debut opposite rumoured ex-girlfriend Bipasha Basu in Dum Maaro Dum last year.

Daggubati told DNA India: "It may look like I disappeared, but I was seen in my South flicks. I always feel so welcome [in Bollywood], by the audience and industry. I definitely want to do more films here now.

"Travelling is not an issue anyway, so I'd rather just fly to and fro for now [to Mumbai]."

He added of Basu: "She is a lovely girl and a dear friend, but the rumours of us dating are rubbish.

"It's funny because I read them in Hyderabad. Sometimes its much after the rumours have made rounds here, so I don't even feel the need to clarify after a point."

In November, it was reported that Basu had made Daggabutti accompany her to a party.

She had previously taken to Twitter to deny that the pair were planning to get married soon.