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'Neethane Enn Ponvasantham means a lot to me'
For Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the going has been good in Telugu cinema.
After four back-to-back hits -- Ye Maya Chesaave (her debut film), Brindavanam, Dookudu and Eega -- the actress is on a roll with more releases in the offing including Autonagar Surya, Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu and Zabardast.
There's also Gautham Vasudev Menon's bi-lingual Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu (Neethaane En Ponnvasantham in Tamil) which is releasing this Friday, December 14.
Despite a hectic schedule, Samantha spared a few minutes to speak exclusively about Neethane Enn Ponvasantham (Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu).
How was it working with Gautham Vasudev Menon for the second time?
Since I had worked with Gautham Menon before, the comfort level was more. I know what he wants and since I know what he was expecting, it was easier to work with him. There was improvement from my side too since the first film.
'It was interesting to relive my school days'
How did he select you for this role?
knew we would work together again. It was a love story again and a performance-oriented character. So it was a good call.
It's yet another love story. What made you take this one up?
The film is more about life. One doesn't get characters like this with a lot of substance.
Your character goes through three phases -- school, college and till you are in your 20s...
Yes, it does pass through school, college and till I'm 26 years old.
It was interesting to relive my school days. I lived through my entire life in a movie. So it was interesting to go back.
The character was close to me. I could relate to the attributes and the circumstances the character goes through. The film means a lot to me. And I'm scared too.
'Gautham Menon has a way with actors and dialogues'
I hope the audience accepts it. It's a piece of me. I want people to love it.
How was it doing both the versions of the film -- in Tamil and Telugu?
It was challenging. It was also a challenging character. Both had long pages of dialogues. There was a lot of intensity in the character. There were days of exhaustion.
Gautham Menon has a way with actors and dialogues. I wouldn't have done the film with anyone else other than Gautham Menon.
It was tiring but it became a lot easier working with two great actors (Nani and Jiiva). We would get it in the first or second take. I had a lot of rehearsals as I did both Tamil and Telugu.
'I actually felt I was a 14-year-old when I wore the school uniform'
Did you dub for the Tamil version yourself?
Yes, I dubbed for the Tamil version. I gave it an honest shot. I may not be the best person to dub but I thank Gautham Menon as he risked it even though it may not be authentic.
I may not have done a great job dubbing in Tamil but after doing so, I respect dubbing artistes even more. These artistes deserve a lot of credit. I didn't dub in Telugu.
In this film your attire is different as compared to Ye Maya Chesaave, where you wore saris predominantly...
Here, we ad to wear age appropriate clothes. Nalini Sriram, who is associated with Gautham Menon, takes his ideas and executes it brilliantly. I actually felt I was a 14-year-old when I wore the school uniform.
Did you have to lose weight to play the school girl?
Yes, I lost weight even though I am skinny. Then I had to put on weight to play the 26-year old. The styling and the dialogues helped to make you feel the age you were portraying.
'I hope I don't disappoint my audience'
Gautham Menon is like family. It was like a family workignon a film together.
Expectations are high since Ye Maya Chesaave was a hit and you have had subsequent hits...
I hope I don't disappoint my audience. I'm confident about the film. I'm thankful Ye Maya Chesaave made me what I am today. I have worked as hard as I could.
You have had a dream run in Telugu so far...
It's quite a pressure after a point. I'm expected to deliver hit after hit. I'm not a sucker for adulation. My family and close friends keep me grounded. Honestly I love what I do.
You have three more releases...
Yes, there is Autonagar Surya (with Naga Chaitanya), Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (with Mahesh Babu) and Zabardast (with Siddharth).