Pooja Hegde awaits the theatrical release of 'Radhe Shyam' on March 11. In this interview, the star actress talks about her character in the film, working with Prabhas, her personal life and beliefs regarding astrology, her career so far, and more.
About my character in 'Radhe Shyam':
Prerana, my character in the film, has got a lot of depth. It was the most challenging role to essay, given there are a lot of emotional scenes. The film was in the making for four years and I had to do research by reading books. What Prerana goes through had to be felt by me. You will see a new Pooja. I have grown as an actor in the last 4 years.
I signed up for this movie after 'DJ'. People will remember the scenes where my acting is emotional.
Prerana is a happy-go-lucky person. But she is different from Pooja. She is sometimes stubborn, playful, naughty.. she is a lot more naughty than I am.
This is not a regular love story. It's a serious, mature love story. I got to work with a great team. I didn't have to worry about how I looked. The visuals are stunning and the cinematographer took care of my looks. I just had to focus on my performance. Doing this film has made me a stronger person.
The songs in the Telugu version have a period feel. I have liked them better. I find Telugu as a language poetic. I love lyrics. 'Nagumomu Thaarale' and 'Ee Raathale' have got poetic lyrics.
Just because there is a ship, don't associate 'Radhe Shyam' with 'Titanic'. It's a compliment that people are referring to the classic in the context of our film. But the two films have no similarity in any way.
The challenges faced & the magic of 'Radhe Shyam':
Since I had to shoot in both Telugu and Hindi, it was difficult. I had to go deep into the character to feel Prerana's pain. I broke into tears without the use of glycerine. The content is the same in all languages, but the magic works differently.
The dialogues have so much energy and power in the film. 'Chastav' is more effective than 'Mar jaoge' said in Hindi. Doing the film in two languages made me understand the nuances of the languages better.
When it is a love story, I give my all. People love the chemistry between me and my male lead in love stories.
'Radhe Shyam' gave me the opportunity to do a meaty role. There are so many scenes that are so unique. They will transport you to a world of real emotions. So far, we are used to seeing period dramas where the costumes and sets are glossy. But 'Radhe Shyam' is set in Europe.
Director Radha Krishna Kumar had a clear-minded understanding of how Prerana should look, how she should dress and so on. She should look like a dream, he said. This is a fantasy film that way. How the two lovers cross paths and start interacting is exciting.
About Prabhas:
Every actor comes with their own energies. Prabhas is more jovial and open. He is fun to work with. He sends amazing food for his co-stars. In front of the media, he is reticent. When we were shooting here, he sent me and my mother home-made food.
Career so far:
When I did 'Mukunda', people said I don't suit glamorous roles. But 'DJ' changed that perception. 'Radhe Shyam' has got me in a completely different role. I am a doctor in this film. In 'Acharya', you will see me in a traditional girl's role. She wears traditional attire. In 'Most Eligible Bachelor', I played a stand-up comedian. 'Gaddalakonda Ganesh' had me in a traditional role, too. The audience are going to see me in a variety of roles in the future.
I don't want to think about whether 'Radhe Shyam' will be a double hat-trick movie. I don't want to jinx it by thinking too much. I am excited to come to the set every day. Let's hope for the best. God is watching. Every film has its own destiny.
I like to add small things to my characters. I was seen wearing headphones in 'Aravindha Sametha' because the character loves music.
I am focused on acting. Maybe I can sing. If DSP or Thaman is listening to me, they can give me a chance to sing (laughs).
I want to work in different languages. I am not conscious of being called a pan-India actor. I have done Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. I will also do a great Marathi film if it comes my way. I like Telugu movies more. After 'Mohenjo Daro' in Hindi, I received a number of offers in Hindi. Tollywood shaped my career although I grew up watching Hindi movies.
If I stop dubbing for my characters in Telugu and Tamil, half of my work will be reduced. My manager asks me why I want to dub. But I want to speak my lines. I want to enjoy the process.
I am not here for the short-term thing. I am here for the long haul. I have butterflies in my stomach when I think of big movies like 'Radhe Shyam' and 'Beast'.
I am happy that my directors/producers/actors repeat me. That's the biggest compliment. They repeat me because they like me. I have done two films with Harish Shankar, three with Trivikram (third one is yet to be shot), two films with Allu Arjun, two with Dil Raju, two with Mahesh Babu, three with Haarika & Hassine Creations. Somewhere I must be doing something right. Otherwise, they wouldn't be repeating me. There is no excuse for working hard.
I have learned different things from different people. They have given me so much respect.
About personal life & beliefs:
I do believe in astrology a lot (Note: Prabhas' character is a palmist in 'Radhe Shyam'). Our culture is rich. Astrology is scientific in nature. I have listened to really accurate predictions about my career. If an Allopathy medicine doesn't work for us, we blame the doctor. But if an astrological prediction goes wrong, we blame the science of astrology. Our seers could see what we couldn't. I believe in the science behind the Shani Temples. Saturn is the only planet that wobbles as it oscillates. Our culture knew it millennia ago even before the Telescope was invented.
I was an introvertive child. My mother made me learn Bharatnatyam. In my first film itself, I got to act alongside someone like Hrithik Roshan. I have acted opposite dancers like Allu Arjun and Jr NTR.
I have no time for love in my personal life. You need to give love time. I am doing 4-5 movies these days!
