The actress now makes her making her debut in Telugu with Chamak Challo, a love story directed by Neelakantha.
In conversation with Radhika Rajamani, the actress talks about her new film.
How did you get to sign Chamak Challo?
I got it through my Telugu manager who told me that Neelakantha is starting a new film and wants to cast me. I said okay as I knew he is a National award-winning director.
You agreed without hearing the story?
Yes. I told them I would come to Hyderabad and hear the story.
'I'm a big fan of Neelkantha'
Had you heard of Neelakantha before? Have you watched any of his films?
I am a big fan of his. I had watched Missamma before I got this offer. I realised he was a good director and the offer was good too. I saw Virodhi too later.
What is your role like in this film?
Chamak Challo is a complete love story. I play a character called Anshu who is a college-going girl who is bubbly, talkative, moody... It's a performance-oriented role.
Could you relate to the character you are playing?
Yes, it's similar to me.
'It wasn't difficult to speak in Telugu'
I used to be given dialogues in advance. I would write them in English. The director helped me pronounce and express. So it was not difficult to speak in Telugu. Also, I could read a bit of Telugu as the script is somewhat similar to Kannada.
Catherine Teresa is the other heroine in the film. Do you share scenes together?
We acted together in only one or two scenes and mostly in the climax. It's her first film too. She's a nice girl.
How was it working with Varun Sandesh?
He's a cool guy, very supportive and down to earth. He's done ten films. He helped me with my dialogues and expressions.
'If I have a good story I will do a film in any language'
She did a fantastic job with the costumes in the scenes and the songs.
How was Neelakantha as a director?
He was awesome. He was very patient and helped me with the dialogues.
How did you feel doing your first Telugu film?
I had a good time shooting the film. Each day was a memorable one. I had lots of fun. I am very happy and excited that the movie is going to release.
Would you want to do movies in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu?
I want to do more Telugu films. If I have a good story I will do a film in any language.
'Deepika Padukone and I are not related'
How did you get interested in films?
When I was studying PUC one of my relatives, who is in the film industry, introduced me in the Kannada film Ravana. Then I got the Tamil and Telugu offers.
You share your surname with the well-known Deepika Padukone...
I belong to the village Padukone. Deepika's father hails from the same village. We are not related.
You are acting in a Tamil film and a Kannada film now...
Yes, I'm doing Chithiram (Tamil) with a new hero Kiran, and Premamrutha with Ajith (Kannada hero).
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to watch movies, listen to music, do yoga and read books.
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