Chandrika Ravi is an Australian model, who started learning dance at the age of three. Her parents are of Indian origin and that made her pursue a career in the Indian entertainment industry.
The sexy lady will be seen in a special song titled 'Maa Bava Manobhavalu' in Nandamuri Balakrishna's 'Veera Simha Reddy', to be released in theatres on January 12 next year. In this interview, the finalist in 2012 Miss World Australia and Miss India Australia talks about her experience of working with Balayya and her journey so far in films.
I was born in a small town in Australia. My parents hail from the Southern part of India. And I always grew up watching Southern films, especially Telugu ones. I never imagined that I would land such a big offer (referring to the song from Balayya's movie) so early in my career. It was a dream come true for me.
I have to thank my parents for supporting my dreams. Culturally, I was brought up as an Indian in Australia. I started learning Bharatnatyam, Kathak and Kuchipudi as a three-year-old. I also learned Western dance forms. My mother is a good dancer herself. My father is a Tabla player. Indian culture and art run in our family.
I am so overwhelmed by the response for 'Maa Bava Manobhavalu', which clocked ten million views in no time. Working with Balakrishna is a huge thing. I am a fan of his. Dancing with him and sharing screen space with him is an experience I am always going to cherish. His knowledge of cinema is amazing. I got to learn a lot from him.
The audience are showing immense love for the song. Their love and encouragement fill me with confidence. 'Maa Bava Manobhavalu' is a song I am going to cherish all my life.
Balakrishna garu is an amazing dancer. Getting to dance with him is a thing of fortune.
As the song shoot was getting wrapped up, my spine had a moderate fracture. Although it pained me a lot, I didn't say it to anyone. Since everyone was religiously engaged in finishing the song, I put up with the pain. Choreographer Sekhar VJ got to know about the fracture and he appreciated me for putting up a strong show despite the pain.
Honey Rose is the other female lead performer of the song. Like me, she too comes from a Malayalam background. I am a half-Tamil and half-Malayali. The Telugu film industry is going great guns.
I am doing a couple of Tamil movies these days. I am in talks for a Telugu project. I am also doing shows in the US.
