Meenakshi Chaudhary interview on Sankranthiki Vasthunnam: Success comes from hard work, not just luck

Sankranthiki Vasthunnam is all set to release on January 14, 2025, as a Sankranthi special. Meenakshi Chaudhary, the happening heroine, plays the female lead in the Venkatesh starrer. She speaks to us about her role, working with the likes of Venkatesh, the lucky mascot tag, and future projects. Here is the transcript.

Meenakshi Chaudhary Interview about Sankranthiki Vasthunnam

How has Lucky Baskhar's success changed your career?

Oh, it has changed things in a big way. I have multiple offers in hand and am part of some big films. The film came to me at a point when I needed to bag a proper hit and showcase my talent. Lucky Baskhar gave me both. I was praised for my performance, and the film’s success also brought in big offers, making me quite busy in Telugu cinema.

Everyone is calling you a lucky mascot. How do you feel?

Luckily, things have been going my way in the past year or so. I feel that it is not only luck but also hard work that pays off. I have worked very hard to reach this point, and receiving so much love in today’s age of trolling is no small feat. I hope this luck and success continue for a long time.

How did you bag Sankranthiki Vasthunnam?

2024 has been a lucky year for me, as I have been offered great projects. While working on Lucky Baskhar, I got the opportunity to work on Sankranthiki Vasthunnam. Dil Raju's banner approached me for the film, and I signed it right away after learning about my role.

Tell us more about your role in the film.

I play a cop who is also the ex-girlfriend of Venkatesh’s character. I am assigned to a high-profile case and am forced to seek help from an ex-cop, played by Venkatesh. We go on a special mission, and his wife also accompanies us. The hilarious situations we three encounter, form the crux of the story. This is the first time I am playing a cop, and it was quite fun as the film was made in a lighthearted tone.

How did you prepare for your role?

Anil Ravipudi, the director, has a sense of humour evident in all his films. Playing a cop in his style was a unique experience. I just landed on the set and followed Anil Sir's instructions. Since my dad is an army officer, I also took a few inputs from him. I got to do action, romance, and showcase emotions all in one film, which is rare these days.

What was it like working with Venkatesh?

Oh, it was a dream come true at such an early stage in my career. He is a thorough professional, and I learned a lot from him. He is the king of comedy, and it was sometimes challenging to match his spontaneity. You will see him in a new avatar, and Venky Sir has absolutely nailed his role in Sankranthiki Vasthunnam.

Now that you've started with a bang, how are you planning your career?

For me, the role is very important. I want to reach a point where directors choose me, confident that I can pull off any role. I aim to be an all-rounder, balancing both content-driven and commercial films. I have just started, and I feel the best is yet to come.

Future projects?

I have signed Anaganaga Oka Raju with Naveen Polishetty and two other big Telugu films. I am also in talks with a few filmmakers in Tamil. 2025 is going to be special, as some of my biggest films will be released this year.

Also Read:Tollywood's meeting with Telangana CM ends: Game Changer gets no respite