Lavanya Tripathi is in a happy space. The girl, who shot to fame with Andala Rakshasi and played a cameo role in Manam , has her hands full with three Telugu films and offers from the Tamil industry too.
Lavanya has almost wrapped up her work for Lacchmi Deviki Oh Lekkundi (LOL) being directed by Jagadeesh who worked as an assistant director to Rajamouli. The actor is kicked about her role which is in total contrast to what she had done in all of her films so far. “I am over smart in Jagadeesh’s film; there are so many shades. I am a selfie-addict in the story, a shameless creature, so it’s a contemporary plot. I will be seen in an out-and-out mass role. Hero Naveen Chandra and I are actually working together for the third time, we did a Tamil film also. He works in a bank and this is a crime comedy. The director has a funny bone and we all had great fun. You will see me doing some crazy stuff. The next one is Nagarjuna’s movie Soggade Chinninayana in which I portray a mature character, I am a sexy Indian woman draped in saris throughout.
The third one is with director Maruti with Nani for the hero, the film is titled Bhale Bhale Magadivoy . In that I am a completely an innocent Kuchupudi dancer. I have two teachers who are helping me out with my dance. Since I have done Kathak, this dance form too became quite easy. Now I am getting what I want. I’m so excited; like a child,” she smiles.
Lavanya had a gap in her work and surprisingly, she blames it on her own performance. After all, most actors don’t admit to their shortcomings. She adds, “With every movie you grow and understand things better. I thought I should give myself some time and work on it little more.
Though I had offers coming, I joined Kathak classes. As a person too, I needed a break as I was working on two films at a time. Similar movies in the same genre were coming to me. Just as we can’t have the same food every day, I don’t think I can work in the same type of films all the time.
Everywhere I go people recognise me and that keeps me going.”
One hears she was ousted from Kerintha. Lavanya confirms she was found to be unsuitable after some changes were made to the in the story. She quips, “They must have thought I didn’t suit the role, but that’s okay. I don’t regret it now. I wish I could have done that too but it is okay. Jagadeesh’s film came to me later. I am excited with the three films, they are from different genres with different looks. I have surprised myself in each of these films.”
On Soggade Chinninayana , she avers, “Working with a star like Nagarjuna is amazing, he is mostly sitting in one corner, sipping water.” About Nani she says, “Nani is also a lot of fun to work with. After Eega I wanted to work with him, he is one of the best actors we have in the industry. Bhale Bhale Magadivoy is a crazy story. I thought I am the only one who watches herself on the monitor after every shot, because I am relatively a new artiste but Nani is so perfect but he is ever ready to give one more shot, ready to improvise.”
Anything else in the pipeline? She says, “I have been offered another Tamil film but I am yet to take a call on that. Right now I have my hands too full.”