Vasuki: My character in Anni Manchi Sakunamule will remind you of Tholi Prema

After a sabbatical spanning nearly two and a half decades, the Tholi Prema girl is returning with another similar role in Anni Manchi Sakunamule

Vasuki (in Tholi Prema)

Vasuki, popular small-screen actress who made a name for herself in the 90s, acted in only one Telugu film - Tholi Prema - but the Pawan Kalyans tarrer was such a resounding success that her character continues to resonate with crowds even today. Married to popular art director Anand Sai, she has donned the greasepaint again for director Nandini Reddy’s Anni Manchi Sakunamule, which releases on May 18.

In a media interaction, she shared her experiences on the sets of her comeback film and what convinced her to give a nod.

Sabbatical from cinema and the comeback with Anni Manchi Sakunamule

I got a lot of offers post Tholi Prema, most of which I liked but I couldn’t make time for them. I’m not a multitasker and my priority was to raise my children, get them to study well. Both of them are in the UK now; my daughter’s studying medicine and my son’s gearing up for a career in architecture.

My husband Anand (Sai) is busy with his own commitments and just when I’ve finally found time for myself, Nandini offered me Anni Manchi Sakunamule and I said yes. I’m simultaneously focusing on academics and pursuing my interests in psychology. I wasn’t worried about distancing myself from the industry.

Given Anand was always bringing up film discussions at home, I felt that I was also part of the film world these decades. Not only acting, I’m someone who takes nothing seriously and don’t try to plan too much. It’s the way I’m wired and I’m quite philosophical as well.

I’m back because I am in my comfort zone with the film. I was 18 when I did Tholi Prema and performed my role without apprehensions despite not knowing Telugu. When I’m returning to films again, I was conscious of the team, ambience. Swapna Dutt convinced me to take it up and I really liked the story.

My role in Anni Manchi Sakunamule

I’ll be seen as a sister to Santosh Shobhan in the film, it’s a character everyone will relate with. I share a good rapport with him off-screen too. I’ve tried to perform well within the scope of my role and did justice to it. Santosh is a sweet person, humble, down-to-earth and caring and calls me akka otherwise too. His role Rishi is quite close to life.

Also read: Upcoming Telugu movies in May 2023: Ramabanam, Ugram, Custody, Anni Manchi Sakunamule and more

On the Tholi Prema connection with Anni Manchi Sakunamule

Tholi Prema belongs to a different era and I gave a nod to Anni Manchi Sakunamule only after noticing the similarities it’ll have with it. I don’t want to tarnish the fame I enjoy here. However, I’ll give all the credit to Karunakaran for Tholi Prema, I said the same when I won the Nandi Award for it. I’m not sure how I performed in it then, but I’m aware of it now and I hope to win over audiences this time too.

I don’t mind playing sister roles. In fact, I’m thankful I didn’t play a mother role (laughs). I’m honestly ready to play any role if the story is good. I connected with the emotion of Anni Manchi Sakunamule during Nandini’s narration. I don’t have brothers in real life and I didn’t understand the brother-sister emotion then but I liked how Karunakaran told the story. It’s the same case with Nandini too. Working with a female director gave me an additional motivation to do it.

The USP of Anni Manchi Sakunamule

There’s an overdose of violence, crime in cinema lately and films leave you repulsed. There are hardly any happy, feel-good stories and Anni Manchi Sakunamule will bring you the joy of watching a fairy tale on the screen. It was a delight to work with veterans like Rajendra Prasad, Naresh, Gauthami. They’re very cooperative and give me inputs too.

Also read: Anni Manchi Sakunamule release date: When and where to watch Santosh Soban, Malvika Nair’s drama

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