The elegant and affable Rohini Hattangadi will be seen in Telugu movies as a grandmother again. Gadget savvy, accessible and very articulate, Rohini takes a small break from the shooting of Seetamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu and is now back in Mumbai doing theatre and Hindi films. Ask her how she manages to be so agile and fresh and she quips, “I guess I do what I like and enjoy my job thoroughly, that reflects on my face. Sometimes overworkand travel take a toll on my health but I am alert and take precautions; I have learnt to deal with it. I take rest whenever I have time.”
The actor is very particular about keeping her word and dates. There are times when her calendar is filled with theatre work and suddenly she is deluged with movie offers that are more fetching but she will not compromise. Her first priority has and will always be theatre. “It is something I’m proud of and have always followed it strictly throughout my career. In Hindi movies, I’m being offered the same mother roles but I’m beginning to say a big no. I don’t look at the length of the role but yes I’m looking for substance. Even if it has two or three scenes but is important, I take it up — like my role in Munna Bhai MBBS .”
She belongs to the old school of acting where importance is not given to heightened emotions, over dramatic reactions and histrionics. She got the best of roles very early in life — roles that brought her international and national acclaim.
She adds, “I didn’t stop my career in Telugu with Seetaramayyagari Manavaralu . I did Teerpu , Top Hero, a Balakrishna-starrer and Little Soldiers . I would love to do more Telugu films but someone has to offer na? I don’t dub for the film though, but I aim to brush up my dialogues with utmost seriousness. I am now playing grandma to Venkatesh and Mahesh in Seetamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu . It’s a fun role and entirely opposite of what you saw in Seetaramaiyyagari Manavaralu . I share good vibes with my ‘grandsons’ especially Mahesh Babu. He says something and I answer him almost immediately with equal wit and warmth and whatever. I am naughty in the movie.”
So is she a naughty grandma in real life too? “I am not yet but I’m sure I will be one. I just want to act and act. My husband is a director and a producer but I am not that material. Right now my focus is on my son Asen who is into English and Hindi theatre and has also done two Hindi films. I love to be at home when there is no shooting. When at home I try and finish all the work that’s pending, which leaves me with a nice feeling.”
