Rashmika Mandanna awaits the release of 'Aadavaallu Meeku Johaarlu' on March 4. In this interview, she talks about her character in the family entertainer, working with actor Sharwanand and director Kishore Tirumala, getting the screen space with Khushbu and other senior artists, her future projects, doing 'Pushpa' and this movie at the same time, and more.
'Aadavaallu Meeku Johaarlu' ('AMJ') came my way during the first lockdown in 2020. The narration was laced with funny moments. I told the director that I would be doing the film and asked him who all would be playing the female characters. And when he told me the names, I could imagine them doing them. I was excited to work with them all.
The interval scene is so funny that the scene made me literally want to do the film. There is another super funny scene in the second half. The scenes involve family members. There is a reason 'AMJ' has been called a family entertainer.
Urvasi garu, Radhika Sarathkumar garu and Khushbu garu are chilled out off the camera. Once they are in front of the camera, they transform shockingly fast into their characters. I was not intimidated; my focus was on observing them act. Even my parents were pleasantly surprised that I would be sharing screen space with them. My father wondered what I would be doing in a film featuring such seasoned artists.
My character's name is Adhya, who has imbibed her frankness from her mother. She knows what she wants and is straightforward. She doesn't want melodrama in life. The character was apparently written for me.
Sharwanand was a sweet co-star. I juggled 'Pushpa: The Rise' and 'AMJ'. The latter was like a picnic. It was easy to work with Sharwa. He is very kind. He would bring us home food when we were bored of the outside food.
'AMJ' is a conversational film. It's not like a character speaks, stops and only then another character starts speaking. The conversations are playful and spontaneous. They are not one-to-one conversations. It's a group affair like it happens in our families.
Srivalli and Adhya are completely different characters. In fact, that's why doing 'Pushpa' and 'AMJ' at once was easy. Doing a film like 'Bheeshma' alongside 'AMJ' would have been hard.
Director Kishore Tirumala has got immense respect for women. He has penned profound dialogues as well as playful ones. He has observed the women in his life and how they talk. That's why the script is so organic. Even in serious scenes, he infuses humorous lines. He is also a religious person.
It's funny that I torture my co-stars (laughs) in my movies. It's because of my characterizations. In 'AMJ', I don't like drama and am straightforward. That's why she seems to be cold with her boyfriend.
I would like to do more family entertainers. The emotional scenes in 'AMJ' have worked out really well. Khushbu ma'am, who carries so much grace, feels that the scenes have shaped up so well. I am glad that I got to do the film with her.
I am glad that Sai Pallavi and Keerthy Suresh were at the trailer launch event. They took the pains to support us by flying down to Hyderabad. I have met them before but having them by your side on the stage gives you more confidence. You have the company of fellow women! I have got some good friends in the industry. The likes of Anupama and Rukshar I am in touch with regularly.
I am not up for marriage as yet. It's funny that media reports make timepass speculations about marriage! I don't want to talk about it (laughs).
The producers of 'AMJ' have been very supportive. It took heavy planning on their part to pull off schedules involving a big cast.
Saying that I have got craze even in Bollywood is a big compliment! I take extreme care about my choices. Besides 'Pushpa 2', there is another project that I can't talk about right now. I can't divulge who all I have met in Bollywood. Meetings take place routinely!
I want to do action, I want to do biopics, historicals. I can keep on going! As of now, I am not up for special songs.
