Playing CM’s wife is a challenge

She has done films in Marathi and Malayalam, but not many in Telugu. So initially Ketaki Narayan was surprised when she was offered to play Y.S. Bharathi’s (wife of YS Jagan) role in the film Yatra 2. When she went to Hyderabad, gave the audition and did the look test, she found a lot of resemblance to Bharathi. “I was so surprised that I felt Bharathi garu was like my soul sister,” Ketaki comments, adding that it was uncanny that she resembles her. “Everyone around me looked at me surprisingly.”

Director Mahi V Raghav saw her work and said that he was confident she could pull off the role. “He said I have expressive eyes and it can do the talking,” Ketaki said. When asked whether she had any apprehensions in being part of a political biopic, she replied, as an actor she is game to play any role as long as it excites her.

“So far I have played fictional characters but to play a real-life character is challenging. It’s a great opportunity to push myself as an actor and give myself more confidence if I can pull it off. I am glad that I have landed the role,” she said.

The actress comments that when playing a larger-than-life role like the chief minister’s wife she needs to get the basics right. Although Ketaki did not meet her, she watched all the videos of Bharati and came to know more about her through her close aides.

“YS Jagan garu had several ups and downs but what I found interesting was the story of Bharathi garu. She was the one who stood by him and was like a pillar of support. I could resonate with her story. Even though Yatra 2 is a political thriller, there’s a beautiful love and emotional story that’s woven within the script. The fact that she was there for him and his acknowledgement made for an emotional story,” says Ketaki.

So far I have played fictional characters but to play a real-life character is challenging. It’s a great opportunity to push myself as an actor and give myself more confidence if I can pull it off. I am glad that I have landed the role”