Mangalavaaram, which has Payal Rajput in the author-backed role, is hitting the big screens this Friday. The film, directed by Ajay Bhupathi, also has Ajmal Amir, Nandita Swetha, Sritej, Ajay Ghosh, and Shravan Reddy in vital roles. Swathi Reddy Gunupati and Suresh Varma M of Mudhra Media Works, in association with Ajay Bhupathi on A Creative Works, produced this rustic thriller. Ahead of the release, Payal Rajput interacted with the media, and here is the transcript.

This is your second film with Ajay Bhupathi. How did the film happen?

I did seek a chance from him. Ajay told me that he would cast me only if there was a good character. He doesn’t want to cast me for small roles, and Ajay is very clear about it. Mangalavaaram will be a path-breaking film in the Telugu industry. I am feeling excited and nervous at the same time. No one in India has attempted a film with this kind of character and story.

Are you playing a negative role? What were your thoughts when you heard the story?

Not really, Shailu is far from being a villain. You will feel sympathy for Shailu after watching the film, as multiple emotions are involved. I played intense roles before, but never this kind of a character. After hearing the story, I told my mother I was collaborating with Ajay Bhupathi again.

Ajay Bhupathi auditioned about 35-40 girls for the role and finally chose you. How did you feel about it?

I got to know about the auditions and called the director. I asked him why he was not considering me. I wanted to collaborate with him because I have immense confidence in Ajay Bhupathi’s directorial skills.

You look modern in real life. In Mangalavaaram, you played a villager. How hard was it for you to get into the shoes of Shailu?

It took two hours every day to style the character’s hair and makeup. It used to take more time to come out of the character after the shoot. Shailu was in my head for about 15 days. I went to my mother and lived with her for some days.

This is a female-oriented film, and it is backed by a female producer. How do you feel about this?

I was very comfortable. Swathi Reddy was very involved. She, along with Suresh Varma Garu, took great care in every minute aspect. Kantara fame Ajaneesh Loknath provided excellent music. A set of highly talented technicians worked on the film. Mangalavaaram has a story and characters never seen in Indian cinema.

When will you work with Karthikeya again?

The decision is left to him. I want to work with him again. For that to happen, the right story should fall in place. Only then we two can associate.