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Ready for Priyamani's actioner?
Priyamani is acting with Nagarjuna and Anushka in Ragada directed by Veeru Potla which releases on December 23.
In this exclusive interview, she sheds more light on the Telugu film and sharing screen space with the cool Nagarjuna. Excerpts:
What made you sign Ragada? Was Nagarjuna being in the film a plus point?
Definitely. Besides Mr Nagarjuna's presence, it was the story which attracted me. When the Veeru Potla narrated the story, I found it was fun. The film is a regular commercial film.
Ragada seems to be an action entertainer. Is there place for two heroines?
It's an action entertainer. There's equal place for both of us (Anushka and myself) to prove our mettle.'Chivalry runs in Nagarjuna's family'
What is your role all about?
My character is called Ashtalakshmi. She's not what you think she is. In fact there's a twist in all the three main characters played by Nagarjuna, Anushka and myself. So, the audience will be in for a treat.
The audio has been well received. Sarvesh Murari has done a good job with the visuals. He has been the cinematographer for the second time. And he does a great job. The audience will like the film.
How was it sharing space with Nagarjuna?
Amazing. He is one of my favourite actors; I have seen all his films. He is a cool and suave person, charming, sweet and friendly too. Chivalry runs in the family. It was a pleasure to work with him.
What did you learn from him?
He is extremely chilled out. There's no tension. He sees to it that nobody wastes time on the sets, and whatever is planned is finished for the day. He is extremely punctual. In Ragada he spoke in the Rayalaseema accent for the first time so he had a person to help him out with that. We all had fun on the sets.
'Anushka is sweet, humble and down-to-earth'
All your portions were shot in the country?
Yes, in Hyderabad.
You have acted with Anushka for the first time. Do you have scenes with her in the film?
Anushka is sweet, humble and down-to-earth. Both of us got along well on the sets. We also have a quite few scenes together.
Veeru Potla is a young man who turned director after being a writer. How do you perceive him as a director?
I think he is a great director. He has written the dialogues too. So he gets into every character (lead or otherwise) and acts with dialogues. He'll show the expressions and also the reaction. He's very involved.
'I named Sumanth Mr Diplomat'
How was the overall experience of working in Ragada?
Being part of the film itself is memorable. Not just because of Veeru Potla but also because of the producer Siva Prasad Reddy garu and his son Chandan. They were very friendly people. Reddy garu would visit the sets, Chandan would sit with us and there was tremendous co-operation from the producers. It was great fun.
You acted with Nagarjuna and his nephew, Sumanth as well. How is it working with both of them?
Sumanth said on TV that he and his uncle have not worked with the same heroine at any time in their career so far. This is the first time. I named Sumanth Mr Diplomat as he would always have a diplomatic answer. He's sweet, friendly and ready to help.
'I am yet to receive a response from Tamil and Hindi for Rakta Charitra 2'
What is the film with Sumanth all about?
The film is a normal story of a married couple and the problems that arise. I play a modern housewife. There's a triangular love story too.
What was your reaction to the performance in Rakta Charitra 2?
I have got positive response from the South, particularly Andhra Pradesh where it is a runaway hit. I am yet to receive a response from Tamil and Hindi.
Are you doing any other Telugu projects?
I'm doing a heroine-oriented film Kshetram, the shoot of which was supposed to start two weeks ago but has been postponed because of the strike. It's a performance-based role and a film with special effects. Overall it will be a good film.