Nivetha Thomas was in Hyderabad just for a day, to shoot videos and strategise promotions with the team of Brochevarevarura . She’s been busy shooting in Mumbai, and says, “It’s been a fairly long schedule without a break.” “For Darbar ? (Rajinikanth film directed by A R Murugadoss)”, I ask her. “I am neither confirming nor denying,” she says with a wicked laugh. She isn’t supposed to be talking about Darbar , but she’s game to hold forth on her Telugu film Brochevarevarura , directed by Vivek Athreya, scheduled to release on June 28.
When she begins to talk about the project and the work experience, it’s almost as if there’s no stopping the excitement. “The script is like a goldmine; I am blessed to have done this film,” she gushes. Nivetha was among the first actors to be on board and at that time, she felt that the draft given to her by Vivek Athreya read like a dark comedy. Eventually it morphed into a complete comic caper. “Vivek is among the best story writers and directors we have in Telugu cinema today. A few scenes that were written impromptu have come out brilliantly. When I first heard the story, I badly wanted to do this film,” she adds.
One of the posters of the film, featuring her as a dancer named Mithra, was a busy one, showing smaller images of the other characters and situations. “It’s a small film with a large ensemble cast. The story deals with people caught in different situations, their decisions, destiny and the society around them,” she says, sounding delightfully vague, not wanting to reveal plot points ahead of the film’s release.
Nivetha Thomas
Brochevarevarura is her first attempt at comedy, and that too, in the company of actors Sree Vishnu, Rahul Ramakrishna and Priyadarshi. “The scenes I shot with these three actors who are called R3 Batch in the film, were great fun. Even after I finish my portions, I would sit and watch them enact the scenes,” she says.
Burn After Reading is among her favourite comedies, and she enjoys watching actors who aren’t necessarily comedians try their hand at comedy. “Some of them do it so well. Predominantly comedy has to do with great writing, but it also depends on the actor,” she adds.
In her school days, Nivetha trained in Bharatanatyam. In this film, her character is that of an aspiring dancer: “Mithra is a simple girl with dreams. When her path crosses with that of the R3 Batch, it leads to situations that each one of them has to deal with in their own way. The story is the push and pull of various people.” Brochevarevarura is also the youngest team that Nivetha has worked with. “It’s an indie-spirited fun film and since most of the team members were young, it was all the more fun,” she states. Did working with a team in her age group make it easier to troubleshoot situations? She pauses and says, “I’ve always walked up to writers and directors, seniors like Kona Venkat, and asked questions (during Ninnu Kori ). I don’t hesitate to discuss if I feel it can give me some clarity.”
Brochevarevarura is a departure from her serious part in the thriller 118 , which released early this year. Nivetha has always been noticed as a talented actor, with films such as Gentleman and Ninnu Kori . Reflecting on her choices, she concedes she isn’t too eager to do what’s considered a typical mainstream commercial film, if she doesn’t have scope to perform, “I’ve been advised by some people to do such films; I am told it will help me climb the ladder. What if my idea of climbing the ladder is different? If interesting scripts don’t come my way, I take a break. After Jai Luva Kusa , I waited for six months to take up another project.” She has a close set of friends and confidants whose guidance she seeks when she needs a direction: “But the final decisions are mine,” she asserts.
Next up are Swaasa directed by Kishen Katta co-starring Nikhil, and director Mohanakrishna Indraganti’s V co-starring Sudheer Babu, Aditi Rao Hydari and Nani.
