Happy to be back: Bhagyashree

It’s been two decades since Tollywood’s seen actress Bhagyashree in action. But she’s now gearing up to make an entry again with the Telugu remake of the Bollywood film Two States. Starring Sesh Adivi and Shivani, the film is directed by Venkat Reddy.

The Maine Pyar Kiya actress, who’s finished most of the shooting, says, “I feel really pleased! I must say a lot of credit goes to the unit; they made me comfortable from day one. By the time I joined the sets, the shooting had already started. But the team bonded well.”

The Telugu audience remembers the actress for her last role in the Balakrishna-starrer Rana (1998); this time, she’ll be seen as a mom (while Rajat Kapoor plays father) to Shivani.

Bhagyashree and Rajat Kapoor on the sets of Two States.

“Honestly, even I’m waiting to see how the audience will receive it,” she quips, adding, “This role has a great scope for performance. I have seen the original version and liked it too. People on the sets keep telling me I still have a lot in me and that I should take up stronger roles.”

She’s stayed out of south Indian cinema for a while. “Unfortunately, I did not have the right connections or an agency to represent me. But I’ve been happy with the offers I’ve received and have enjoyed films that came my way. I was also occupied with TV, which was a great platform to showcase my creativity. So I don’t have any regrets! Moreover, I was not interested in the rat race,” she explains.

Interestingly, the actress earlier made the news for her decision to do her own dubbing. “Since my role is that of a woman of today and a protective mother, director Venkat wants me to dub for my part. He believes it brings authenticity to my role but I’m terrified,” she bursts into laughter.

Ask Bhagyashree what makes her keep coming back to Hyderabad, she reveals, “I love the city and it has transformed a lot. I have some fond memories of shooting for Rana at Ramoji Film City in 1998, but now it has completely changed and I am trying to recollect the places where I have last shot,” she reveals, adding, “I was also in Hyderabad during Ramzan time. My friends Nagesh Kukunoor and Elahe Hiptoola invited me to dinner. It was also the first time I tasted haleem.”

HT05