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Upendra: Working with P Vasu was a thrilling experience

Last updated on: January 27, 2012 13:28 IST
A scene from Aarakshaka

Kannada film superstar Upendra's latest film Aarakshaka has hit the screens more than six months after Shrimathi had an average run at the box-office. For the first time, Upendra has teamed up with P Vasu.

Upendra says "Working with P Vasu was a thrilling experience. Only good writers like P Vasu, with a sharp visual sense, can pull off such a fantastic thriller.

"Aarakshaka is a totally screenplay-oriented narrative. The climax is engaging. The film has given me a lot of scope to perform as an actor. My fans can expect to see me in different get-ups.

"Audiences can expect a lot of surprises and even the unexpected. It is a psychological thriller and a love story with all the commercial elements that go to make it an eminently engaging movie."

My role will surprise the audience

Last updated on: January 27, 2012 13:28 IST
Sadaa

A year after the Kannada film Mylari became one of the highest grossing films of 2011, Sadaa is back with Aarakshaka that has hit the screens this week.

She could not fit in dates for plum roles she was offered by P Vasu in Chandramukhi and Aaptarakshaka, but this time round she made sure she seized the opportunity.

She plays a Christian girl in the film, and though she has done the same in Monalisa, "this role is more pronounced and evident," she says.

"My role will surprise the audience because of the existence of a mystery element. The mystery element is resolved in the climax. The film has a lot of twists and turns, which is typical of P Vasu's films and every character in the film has a strong role.

"It was a wonderful experience working with director P Vasu. When I came on board, I dared not ask him about my role or character. But he gave me a simple narration that brought me on board this project.

"I had total faith and trust in him as he was very clear about what he wanted," Sadaa said.

She says she was game to play both female protagonists but director Vasu decided to cast her as the wife of Upendra.

"It was a fantastic and fabulous experience to work with Upendra in Aarakshaka. I had missed out on the opportunity to work with him in an earlier film. Upendra was so chilled out and humble as a person and as an actor on the sets. There were no starry airs," Sadaa says of her co-star.       

Ragini: There was a lot of pressure to perform

Last updated on: January 27, 2012 13:28 IST
Ragini Dwivedi

Lady Luck seems to be smiling on beauty queen and upcoming actress Ragini Dwivedi. She has not only been cast in an important and challenging role by director P Vasu in Aarakshaka but has also got an opportunity to work with superstar Upendra.

 "I am glad and happy to have been part of this film. My role in the film runs parallel to other roles that are interdependent on one another," says the newcomer.

She further adds, "I play a psychiatrist and I consider myself lucky to be cast in such a role at such a young age and at such a nascent stage of my career.Aarakshaka is not about a love triangle, but the protagonist's role becomes weak without my presence. My character is portrayed very stylishly as I sport net and chiffon designer sarees made by Ramesh Dembla."

 She also considers herself lucky to be given a solo song in a P Vasu-Upendra starrer.

"Director Vasu narrated the gist of the script. He wanted me to repose all my trust in his script. I am a complete director's actor as I believe that the soul of the film resides in the script and the director's ability to mould actors the way he wants for a particular story," Sadaa says.

As for her co-star, "Upendra is a fabulous actor and we had a lot of combination shots together. There was a lot of pressure to perform but I took it as a challenge, and gave it more than 100 percent. I had an added responsibility of not letting my co-star down."