Exclusive Interview: Payal Rajput: I love the glamorous image that I carry

We had an exclusive telephonic interview with noted heroine Payal Rajput this afternoon. In the interaction, Payal spoke about her career, personal loss due to the Covid-19 crisis and her forthcoming projects. Here is the transcript.

Q) How did you spend the Covid lockdown time? ( First wave and second wave)

A) Things were not that harmful to me during the Covid first wave but during the second variant of Covid, I lost my close friend’s mom. My aunty is very close to me and we both share a good rapport but losing her left me in deep depression. Slowly I’m coming out of the sad phase with the help of family members.

Q) Are you shooting for any movie?

A) Presently, I’m shooting for Aha’s original show, Three Roses. It is a nice project and I’m doing an adventurous role in it. Along with me, Poorna is also doing a key role in the series, the makers are in search of the other actress role in the series.

Q) Tell about Kirathaka and your character in the movie?

A) I was approached by director Veerabhadram for Kirathaka. Soon after the narration, I said yes to do the project as the script itself has a fresh vibe. Especially, I liked my character and it is the main reason to sign the project.

Q) After RX100, I guess you would have got good offers but you were choosy, what is the reason?

A) Yeah, after the film’s release I got good offers but I was confused by the people around me due to which I used to be in dilemma. But now, I’m taking mature decisions and picked good roles only.

Q) Working experience with Venkatesh in Venky Mama?

A) He is so sweet and a perfect gentleman. Watching his disciple on the sets used to surprise me. Working with Venky sir is a lifetime memory for me.

Q) You did a special number in Teja’s Sita, later did you get any similar kind of offers?

A) Yes, after Bulreddy I was offered item songs but being an actress I always believe that dancing is not my cup of tea and rejected a few good offers. Even though I was not a good dancer, while shooting for Bulreddy song, director Teja supported me a lot and used to patiently deal with me.

Q) Are you okay with the glamorous image?

A) If people like to see me in glamorous roles and love my physical appearance I’m okay with it. But as an actress, I could like to explore and prove myself in various characters.

Q) What is your dream role?

A) To be frank, I have no dream role. My only intention is to do justice to the roles that I choose.

Q) Is doing Anaganaga O Athidhi a plus or minus for your career?

A) As an actress I good appreciation for the audience which is enough for me. Even films like RDX Love brought the family audience close to me.

Q) Tell us about your Tamil debut film?

A) We had almost wrapped up the shooting part but as the team is facing an issue with Udhayanidhi Stalin’s call sheets, the project was kept on hold for the time being.

Q) Apart from Kirathaka, have you signed any new projects?

A) I signed a new film in Kannada opposite actor Dhananjaya. I will be shooting for Kirathaka and Dhananjaya’s as-yet-untitled film parallelly from August. I’m also working on a few Television commercial ads.

Q) Any Punjabi movie on the cards?

A) Being my mother tongue, I always love to do films in Punjabi. As of now, a few projects are in the discussion stage which will be announced soon.

– Interview by Prudhvi Chava