'SR Kalyanamandapam', which was released on August 6, stars Kiran Abbavaram in the lead. In this interview, actress Priyanka Jawalkar talks about working on the movie, romancing Kiran, her upcoming projects, and more.
'SR Kalyanamandapam' took a day to pick up pace in terms of collections. The crowds are teeming in the Rayalaseema territory. I had back-to-back movies after the second wave - 'Thimmarusu' followed by 'SRK'. I am glad to be busy! I had been tensed for a week as the release dates neared. I was not sure whether the audience would come to theatres in the middle of the pandemic.
The producer has to get the money back on the movies I do. I have been careful in picking stories. My agenda is that my movies have to work commercially.
I put on weight due to health issues. I worked out and slimmed down. After 'Thimmarusu' was out, many commented that I was not taking care about my health. I developed pimples suddenly. I underwent tests and it was discovered that I had Thyroid. Even gymming didn't help me. I suddenly put on weight and then the weight came down after I started taking treatment.
On the big screen, you look weightier than you are in real life. That's why you have to slim down more than what is required. I had to do high-intensity workouts. I have been into the Keto diet and all. There are several restrictions. I am back to a normal diet of late. I can't take a sugar-free diet for life.
After 'Taxiwala', I listened to almost 25 scripts. I rejected most of them because I wanted to do the right films as a follow-up.
'SR Kalyanamandapam' was a difficult film for me. I am not the one who chides men in real life. In 'Thimmarusu', I played a tough lawyer. I am not tough in real life. I have a few friends who gave me brutally honest feedback about my acting in the latter. But I have not received any negative feedback for 'SRK'.
I have been busy listening to scripts. I have signed up to do a Tamil movie.
A lot of gossips are written about heroines. I enjoy the gossips about me if they are funny (laughs). I have been asked about the gossip related to a passport photo of mine. A lot of people ask me about it.
Allu Arjun is my biggest crush. I have said it before as well. Each of my co-stars has been different. Kiran Abbavaram is like a kid. Satyadev Kancharan is very hard-working. It was fun working with Vijay Deverakonda.
In recent times, I liked 'The Great Indian Kitchen' (Malayalam) on OTT. I have been receiving OTT offers. I am waiting for the right opportunities to come my way. I have also auditioned for a few OTT roles. I love Telugu movies, as I grew up watching them. As a Telugu-speaking girl, I get a high when I work with our actors. Telugu will always be my first love. But I am open to working in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada movies.
