The first glimpse of seasoned actress Vijayashanti as an honest police officer has triggered some buzz around the movie and her character is named ‘Vyjayanthi IPS’. “The makers are cashing in on her larger than life image since she rocked in such roles before and backed national award for her performance in the film ‘Kartavyam’ which was inspired by real-life cop Kiran Bedi,” says a source and adds, “She is playing a key role in this film in which Nandamuri Kalyan Ram is playing the hero and it being directed Pradeep Chilkuri,’ he adds. Of course, the makers have to dole out a hefty sum for the talented actress to don khakis after a big gap. “She would be drawing a pay of Rs 4 crore for 35 to 40 days of work. She is adept in playing cop roles and tasted success with films like 'Police Lockup' and 'Shatruvu,” he points out.
Actually, Vijayashanti made a comeback of sorts with a key role in Mahesh Babu’s ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’ and won appreciation for her role as an honest woman who fights against local politicians along with her kids. “She has become very choosy about her roles these days. In fact, she had rejected a couple of offers that weren’t exciting enough. She wants to do a role with substance and which would sustain her stature and dignity,” he adds
She was last seen in ‘Naayudamma,’ which hit the theatres in 2006, and returned to acting after 13 years for her role in ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’. “She was the original flag-bearer of women-centric films in Telugu cinema and did swashbuckling movies like ‘Prathighatana', ‘Osey Ramulamma’ and "'Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam'. Apart from playing love interest to superstars like Krishna, Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, and Venkatesh to become a numero uno heroine in Telugu in the 80s and 90s,” he concludes.
