Chennai, Dec 15 (IANS): Filmmaker Puri Jagannadh felt "very bad" that he missed an opportunity to work with megastar Chiranjeevi, but has now vowed to work with him in the future.

The "Pokiri" director was the first choice to direct Chiranjeevi's 151st film, which will now be helmed by V.V. Vinayak.

"It's unfortunate that things didn't work and I missed out on the opportunity to direct the film. But I'll definitely work with Chiranjeevi sir in the future," Jagannadh told IANS.

The 49-year old missed out on the opportunity after Chiranjeevi was unhappy with the second half of the story, which he had written for him.

"Had he given me more time, I'd have reworked on the script. Instead, he told people (media) that he didn't like it. I felt very bad that he didn't deal the matter with me directly. However, I've put all that behind and we still share a great friendship," he said.

Now geared up for the release of "Loafer" starring Varun Tej this week, the director is confident about the product.

Heaping praise on his hero, whom he considers a star in the making, he said: "I was blown away by Varun's performance. He was brilliant in an emotional scene that also features veteran actress Revathy, who plays his mother".

"It's an emotional drama between a mother and his son. The mother wishes that her son, who is taken away by his father, is not raised as a loafer but the father raises him as one," he revealed.