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| Edited By: Latha Srinivasan |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Jan 11, 2016, 04:24 PM IST
Rakul Preet Singh may have started her career in Tamil films, but she found more success as an actress in Telugu cinema. Her film with Jr NTR Nannaku Prematho is up for release on January 13 for Sankranti. In an exclusive chat with dna, Rakul opens up about her film, co-stars and her goals for 2016.
What’s your role like in Nannaku Prematho?
My character Divyanka is a rich girl, who is strong headed, smart, independent and stylish. The role is very different from what I’ve played before – the way she walks and talks etc. She has a natural style about her which is quite interesting. Working with Sukumar sir has been a great experience.
You’ve dubbed for yourself in this film.
This is the first time I’ve dubbed for myself in a Telugu fillm. It’s a very special film for me as I learnt a lot from the experimental way it was shot. Sukumar sir doesn’t have these set dialogues – he asks you what you think the character would feel or think in a scene. It was Sukumar sir who told me I should dub for the film because he said I’ve put in a lot of my own inputs and ideas in the film. I play a London-bred character, so there are a lot of English dialogues interspersed as well. Dubbing is very important as it can lift your performance or bring it down. I thought if a dubbing artiste does it, it might look fake and didn’t want that. I wanted it to be 100% my work in this film and I’ll be very proud of it irrespective of the box office. We are all hoping it does well.
Watch the trailer of Nannaku Prematho:
How good is your Telugu?
I talk in Telugu and can manage reasonably well. I try to speak in Telugu during interviews as well. But dubbing is a very different thing as I need to be careful about the pronunciations, the pauses etc. So it was quite a challenging task.
How was your experience working with Tarak (Jr NTR)?
It was very good! We all know what a fantastic dancer and actor he is. To be honest, I was a little nervous on day one because I didn’t know Tarak before the shoot. He’s a senior actor and I’ve seen most of his films. When you are working with an actor like him, it makes you push the envelope and do your best too.
Like you said, Tarak is a fantastic dancer.
Let’s not even go there! (Laughs) He doesn’t even have to rehearse - by the time I try to figure it out, he’ll be ready for the shot! He’s supremely talented. I’ve worked with good dancers like Ram, Bunny (Allu Arjun), Ram Charan and Tarak and my dancing skills have been improving with every film.
You’re one of the top actresses in Tollywood today. Did you expect this steep rise in three years?
I’d be lying if I said no. You start working in any profession thinking you’ll do well and even I wanted to do well. But I’m thankful that it happened so soon. I've worked hard for it and I am very, very grateful that the audience and industry accepted me the way they did. They made my dream come true.
Are you not looking at Tamil films?
I actually started with Tamil films before my Telugu debut and then I got busy with Telugu films. But this year, I am looking at signing some Tamil films. There are some great films being made in Tamil cinema. I’m in talks for a few.
What are your goals for 2016?
I don’t set goals because I feel if you set goals then you restrict yourself to that goal. I just keep going with the flow and feel that what’s meant to happen will happen. The films that are meant for me, will come to me. I just try and give a 100% and leave the rest.
