Rashmika Mandanna on the success of her new Telugu film ‘Adavallu Miku Joharlu’ and ‘Pushpa’

There was a time when the journey from her hometown Virajpet in Kodagu district to Bengaluru was special for actor Rashmika Mandanna. “This was our Paris,” declared this writer Rashmika Mandanna a few years back. Today, she is a pan-India star, spread across Telugu and Hindi cinema and making headlines after her stupendous success. Pushpa – Uday, for his new telugu film in hyderabad Adavallu Miku Joharlu, which will release in theaters on March 4, Rashmika Mandanna laughs: “When I think about how my life has changed in the last five years, it feels so real. Hyderabad is almost home and I am frequently traveling to Mumbai and other cities for work.

Her staff reminds her that she hasn’t had her meal yet, but she insists on this quick conversation first: “It’s my responsibility to meet my commitments.”

Rashmika Mandanna recalls shooting time for Kannada film Kirik Party As a teenager: “I had no idea about movies, cameras or acting. I went from my college hostel to the sets of the film. I’m still finding the real me, but I’m getting comfortable with being in the spotlight. ,

At the age of 25, Mandana has caught the attention of film-goers in different languages. “I think there are a lot of choices that a star has to make off-screen rather than on-screen performance. Do I want to workout to look a certain way, how far forward do I position myself as an actor? And what kind of person I am and being on the sets… that’s all that matters. 20s are the time when one starts exploring the world, and all that confidence shows on screen.”

Rashmika Mandanna has been a part of big budget films since the beginning and after that her career is moving ahead. PushpaBut she admits that every film she’s done so far has helped her reach where she is: “If I hadn’t Kirik Party or Let’s go (Telugu), I am not selected for this Geeta Govindam, I am aware that the script I choose today will decide who I am tomorrow.”

Currently working on two Hindi films – Director Shantanu Bagchi’s spy thriller Mission Majnu Sidharth Malhotra and director Vikas Bahl co-star Bye A Amitabh Bachchan co-star, she says, “At times I get overwhelmed when I think of the big people I am getting to meet and work with. That day I was saying to my mother, ‘Do you know I’m an actor?’ I have to remind myself that unless I am confident and capable at the moment, I cannot do justice to my work.

Adavallu Miku JoharluWritten and directed by Kishore Tirumala, is a comedy family drama starring Rashmika Sharwanand and a line-up of talented female actors including Radhika, Khushboo and Urvashi. “When Kishore sir narrated the story, I was curious about the female actors in these important roles. I couldn’t believe my ears when he dropped the names. The cast is a huge plus for the film.”

On the sets, Mandana found herself watching Urvashi, Khushboo and Radhika closely, trying to absorb whatever she could to hone her craft. “Initially I used to get scared in the presence of these talented and beautiful women. Urvashi and Radhika ma’am were together in most of the scenes and they were incredibly funny. He made everything so easy. When Khushboo ma’am came in, I was impressed by her grace and politeness. I got to talk to them all about life, families, pets, how they handled their careers… I feel blessed to be able to work with them. ,

Earlier Rashmika Mandanna was considered an outsider in Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai. She says she has begun to assimilate the best of cultures from different cities and film industries: “Every set I enter, the first few days people think I’m pretending to be nice to them. A month later they would tell me that they did not expect such warmth from me. But then, I am a people’s person. If I’m going to spend that much time working, I might as well have fun and cherish the memories. ,