Dimple Hayathi of 'Khiladi' and 'Gaddalakonda Ganesh' (she did a special song in it) fame is up for this year's first release of hers. Titled 'Rama Banam', the family entertainer will be released in theatres on May 5.
In this interview, the heroine describes actor Gopichand as a calm and composed person whose dialogue delivery/expressions are understated. She talks about her role in the People Media Factory production, how it was like transitioning from a glam part in 'Khiladi' to 'Rama Banam', and more.
Saying that she is taking baby steps, Dimple adds that she is self-critical. After doing two films in Tamil (one each with Prabhu Deva and Vishal), Dimple is ready to experiment in different languages. She has done 'Atrangi Re' in Hindi. She suggests that it was not easy to do a Bollywood film for a South Indian like her. Actor Dhanush's support helped her get through.
I signed up to do 'Rama Banam' during the making of 'Khiladi'. I was way too glamorous in 'Khiladi'; I don't have to elaborate on how glamorous I was in the film. After the release of 'Khiladi', director Sriwass screen-tested me for 'Rama Banam' all over again to figure out if I would be suitable to do a family entertainer. Two look tests were done. The director was convinced that I would be apt.
In 'Khiladi', my character had two shades. In the first, I was traditional and in the second, I was way too glamorous. In 'Rama Banam', I am an urbane vlogger. The director helped me hone my expressions. I observed the body language and activity of happening bloggers. I watched cooking videos and stuff. I did my homework and then the director's instructions added to it.
I am not social media-savvy. I post only once every 2-3 months. As such, playing a YouTube-savvy character in 'Rama Banam' felt totally new. Director Sriwass asked me to react naturally, the way I would react in particular situations in real life. I got to work with senior artists in the movie. It was a different experience altogether.
Gopichand is a different personality altogether. He talks less. I too am like him. We worked out our chemistry slowly. Ravi Teja, my previous hero, was a total contrast. He used to be energetic always on set. My dances are relatively simpler in 'Rama Banam'.
At first, I am fun to watch. Slowly, as the story graduates to serious and dramatic moments, my character shifts gears. The set used to be vibrant and radiant always.
It was fun to work with Khushbu Sundar, Jagapathi Babu, Ali, Vennela Kishore, and several others. Khushbu, in particular, is like my second mother. I and her daughter have become good friends. We end up bumping into each other on repeat.
People Media Factory's TG Vishwa Prasad and Vivek Kuchibotla are on a success spree. They are nice humans. Working under their banner helped me understand how sweet they are. They never hurt others. They do thorough homework and know how to strategize.
Sriwass is a naughty director (laughs). His detailing is rare. He prods actors to keep learning and growing on set. He would ask me to observe the approach of actors like Jagapathi Babu and Khushbu. He is also close to my family members. He is like family!
I am not a trained actor. I come from a family of dancers. There are a couple of artists in our family. My businessman-father is a Tamilian and my mother is a Telugu. I was born in Vijayawada and grew up in Hyderabad. Even my grandparents are conscious of how I have to click my selfie! My family members are my biggest critics. The audience like my dances but my family members don't (laughs). They keep me grounded. I owe my acting to my dancing skills. I haven't done any 'Arangetram' in classical dancing. I have a Guinness Book of World Records entry in Kuchipudi, though.
When I did an item number in 'Gaddalakonda Ganesh', I was perceived in a certain way by the audience. It took me some time to break that perception. It's a process. I love to do everything. I don't mind playing glamorous roles, I don't mind playing a traditional village belle.
Telugu-speaking actresses are gaining a foothold in the industry again. Sree Leela is a Telugu-speaking heroine. I am Telugu-speaking. Change is already happening on my career front. The workmanship is changing. The approach to cinema is changing. The audience's perception is changing. In the old days, the likes of Jayaprada and Jayasudha were Telugu-speaking stars.
I am evolving as a person. I have gotten over setbacks on the career front. I wouldn't be in this position had I allowed myself to be dragged down by failures. I have a release coming up in Tamil soon. A Telugu project with a star hero is going to be made official soon.
