Payal Rajput on Mangalavaaram: Ajay Bhupathi wanted me to come to the sets like a blank slate

A rustic thriller, Mangalavaaram, also starring Ajmal Ameer, Shravan Reddy, Nandita Swetha, releases on November 17

Ajay Bhupathi and Payal Rajput

After foraying into the Telugu industry with RX 100, Payal Rajput has enjoyed an impressive run, with a handful of offers that’ve kept her busy year after year. She’s reuniting with RX 100 director Ajay Bhupathi again for a rustic thriller Mangalavaaram, which hits screens on November 17. Ahead of its release, the team behind the film came together for a promotional interview.

Opening up on Mangalavaaram, Payal says, “I am nervous and excited at the same time about the film. I am always like this before the release of my films. Even while I was talking to my mother recently, I was experiencing a wave of emotions.” She reveals how Ajay Bhupathi hasn’t at all changed all these years and calls him a blessing in her career.

Also read: Mangalavaaram trailer: Payal Rajput goes bold for this mystery thriller

“He launched me with a blockbuster like RX 100. It not only changed the trajectory of my career, but also my life. I couldn’t be happier to work with him again,” the actress adds. “The entire project was a challenge. As an actor, I am very process oriented and I need my bound script to be ready with my lines. While I tried to do my homework before shoot, Ajay Bhupathi wanted me to come to set like a blank slate.”

Apparently, Ajay Bhupathi didn’t even let her complete her shot on the first day and wanted her to approach it minus any baggage. “His biggest skill as a director is his ability to extract performances, push his actors. You naturally end up giving your best. It was my honour and privilege to work with him again. The look is also quite conventional and I enjoyed exploring the newness,” she mentions.

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Nandita Swetha, Divya Pillai, Ajmal Amir, Ravindra Vijay, Krishna Chaitanya, Ajay Gosh, Shravan Reddy, Srithej are also part of the lineup. Mangalavaaram is produced by Swathi Reddy Gunupati and Suresh Varma M under Mudhra Media Works and A Creative Works.

Also read: Mangalavaram OTT rights deal bought by this leading platform? Here's what we know

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