Yuva Samrat Akkineni Naga Chaitanya and Manjima Mohan starrer ‘Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo’ is all set for release on November 11. This Tamil-Telugu bilingual film has been made under Guru Films and Dwaraka Creations banners with prominent writer Kona Venkat as presenter. M Ravinder Reddy is the producer. Oscar Award winner AR Rahman has given musical scores. Manjima Mohan essays the lead female role in both versions. In a chat with the media, the actress talks about her film and co-stars.
How did you get the opportunity to work for ‘Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo’?
I was a child artist and made my debut as heroine through the film ‘Oru Vadakkan Selfie’. Gautham Menon garu was very impressed by my acting after watching the film’s trailer. He asked me to give auditions and I was selected as female lead. I loved it and I wanted to do it instantly. And knowing the fact that it is a Telugu and Tamil bilingual film, I am nervous feeling the pressure of being new to Telugu language. I didn’t know the language either so I wasn’t sure if I could do it. But Gautham sir told me that Telugu is a beautiful language and assured me that I could pull it off. Now I am much more confident. He stood by my side encouraged me a lot. By keeping faith on him, I accepted to act in ‘Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo’.
Tell us about your working experience in Telugu?
It was a wonderful experience. At first I felt Telugu as an alien language. After doing ‘Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo’ I can understand the language a little bit. I know Malayalam and Tamil languages.
What was your feeling when you are doing the same film with two different heroes?
Well of course there was no pressure on me to star opposite two different heroes for the same film, but doing the same scene differently is somewhat difficult. Both the heroes have supported me a lot. They actually made me feel comfortable on the sets and Naga Chaitanya taught me Telugu language on the sets. I practiced a lot to fluently deliver dialogues in Telugu.
How did you convince your parents?
My dad, who is a cinematographer for Malayalam films, asked me to act as child artist when there was an opportunity. When I asked my father that I have interest, he suggested me to first complete my studies. After completing my degree, my dad accepted to make my entry into film industry as heroine. As a child artist, I did 8 films. As a heroine I did one Malayalam film and one Telugu-Tamil bilingual.
Tell us about working experience with Naga Chaitanya?
He is a nice co-star and helped me out with many things on sets. He would make atmosphere jovial. He helped be a lot regarding dialogue delivery. We would discuss about the scene. However, I know that I am not comfortable with romantic scenes. Naga Chaitanya taught me some tips. I didn’t take any training. Chaitu, Simbu, Gautham Menon sir and direction team have given lot of support.
About her character in the film, she described, “I played Leela, a simple girl. I appear as Chatanya’s friend’s sister. While the first half of the film goes with the love feel, the second half goes on with the thrilling and action mode.
What was your feeling when the film’s release date got delayed?
I felt nervous actually about the delay. But, Gautham sir explained that we need patience to deliver good film and extract good output.
Have you watched Telugu films?
I hadn’t watched much of Telugu cinemas. But, I know about Chiranjeevi sir, Nagarjuna sir and Allu Arjun because some of their films were dubbed in Malayalam. When I started working for Telugu film, I watched ‘Yem Maya Chesave’ and ‘Manam’. I also watche ‘Nenu Shailaja’. I am a friendly person and I don’t have any particular best friends.
What was your father’s reaction when he seen you as a heroine?
My dad and I got emotional while seeing the climax scene in ‘Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo’. Tears rolled on his cheeks by seeing me and with this I understood that he is very much satisfied with my acting.
