Jyothi Lakshmi based on Malladi’s novel

Actress Charmme is playing the lead in the film Jyothi Lakshmi directed by Puri Jagannath. On Friday, the director revealed that the film is based on popular Telugu writer, Malladi Venkatakrishna Murthy’s novel Mrs Paramkusam.

“This is a very old novel. I read it before I started directing films, nearly 25 years ago. I liked it and told the writer that I would make a film based on the story. I kept meeting him on and off and we always spoke about the novel. Five years ago I was ready to make the film. It was then that I decided to only shoot it with Charmme,” says Puri Jagannath.

When asked about the title Jyothi Lakshmi, he says that it was because of his fondness for Jyothi Lakshmi, a popular ‘item girl’ in Telugu cinema.

“The title also adds an element of mass appeal for the audience,” says the director adding, “You will see a totally different Charmme.”

Charmme who believes that her dream has come true with this film says, “I ‘ate’ Puri’s head for this film and the film was shot very quickly. Puri Jagannath is known to work very fast, but this time he worked faster,” she says. Speaking about her character she explains, “I did not act, I was myself, just like I am in real life.”

She added that director Puri trusted her as an artiste and that’s the why she was able to essay the role with ease.