Ananya Nagalla interview: Pottel is a make-or-break film in my career

Pottel is an upcoming Telugu film set to hit the screens on October 25, 2024. Ananya Nagalla, the Telugu actress who plays the female lead, speaks to us about her role, portraying a mother, the sudden hype around the film, an on-stage insult she faced, and why audiences should not miss Pottel on the big screen.

How did you bag this project?

Sahith, the director, approached me with the story and said I would play the mother of a young girl. Initially, I wasn't very keen, as I had just finished playing a mom in one of my new series. Sahith urged me to hear the story first and decide for myself. After going through the narrative, I found a lot of differences between the mother character in the series and this one. I loved the emotional angle, so I agreed to do the film.

Tell us about your character in the film

I play the role of Bujjama in Pottel. The makers didn’t reveal much about my character in the promos, so you could say I’m the surprise package of the film. I portray a mother from a small village, and the story shows the emotions she experiences as she sees her daughter face many struggles. I didn’t do much homework for the role; I simply performed as my director instructed.

Did you face any challenges playing the role of a mother to a troubled child?

Not too many. The emotions were so strong that things flowed naturally. However, there was one scene where Ajay's character punched me hard in the stomach. It was a risky scene, and Ajay Garu was quite hesitant about hitting me. But as the scene is crucial to the film, I took a few takes to get it right in the end.

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What was your experience working with Ajay?

Ajay often plays negative roles in his films, but not many know that he is incredibly down-to-earth in real life. Most of my scenes are with him, and he made me feel very comfortable. His performance in the film will shock everyone. Ajay is one of the main pillars of Pottel. 

What role does the goat play in the film’s storyline?

Pottel (the goat) is integral to our film. It has a special character, and the entire story revolves around it. In fact, it is the root cause of all the problems in the film. The hero’s nature is also compared to a goat, and how the goat and the hero’s character connect will only be revealed when you watch the film.

What do you think about the sudden hype around the film?

When we started promoting the film, we were confident we had made a good product, but we didn’t expect such a tremendous response to the trailer. The hype has grown so much that our producers are holding special premieres two days in advance. With industry leaders like Trivikram and Sandeep Vanga supporting our film, the anticipation is huge.

Can you talk about the recent casting couch controversy you faced?

It was a sad and difficult experience that broke me down. A lady journalist asked me about casting couch issues, which made me even more upset. But that’s how the industry is, and I just request people in the media and elsewhere to show respect to women, especially actresses. We’re here to give our best, not for any other reason.

Are you happy with how your career is shaping up?

Every day is a struggle. Vakeel Saab with Pawan Kalyan gave me decent fame, but most of the offers I get are for family dramas. Pottel will show what I’m capable of as an actress. Telugu actresses face challenges in making a name for themselves, but with this film, I feel my time has come, and I will continue to give my best in the future.

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