NTR was hesitant to play Lord Krishna character in Mayabazar, after a negative response to his cameo appearance as Krishna in Sontha Vooru movie in 1956. Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani had initially rejected K.V.Reddy proposal to cast NTR as Krishna but Venkat Reddy persuaded them into believing that NTR was good for the role. As NTR had a broad chest, Venkat Reddy suggested him slightly narrowing to look apt as Krishna. NTR agreed at the insistence of Venkata Reddy and special care was taken with his costume and body language. Mayabazar was the first of NTR’s many appearances as Krishna.
