Sapthami Gowda Interview: I rejected many roles post Kantara, Thammudu felt right

Nithiin-starrer Thammudu marks the debut of Sapthami Gowda in Telugu cinema. In an interview with OTTplay, she speaks about her role, performing action sequences, working with the likes of Nithiin and Dil Raju, and much more. Here is the transcript.

Sapthami Gowda interview on Thammudu

How did you bag this project?

Post the release of Kantara, director Venu Sreeram contacted me for a key role in Thammudu. I auditioned for my character Ratna, and was roped in. After a few days, I was given the dialogue version to prep my lines ahead of the shoot.

Tell us about your character?

I play the role of Ratna, a village belle from the small town of Ambaralagodugu. She is a huge fan of Pawan Kalyan and gets involved in the issues faced by Nithiin and his sister, played by Laya. Thammudu is a serious film, and my character brings a lot of relief to the proceedings.

How did you prep for the film?

I was asked to learn horse riding, and I trained for three weeks. Everyone thinks I play a radio jockey in the film, but I don’t. I worked hard on my Telugu and went to the shoot well-prepared. Despite the tense situations in the film, my character is often seen making fun of things without knowing the actual conflict.

There are multiple heroines in the film. How special is your character?

Thammudu is an emotionally packed action drama and features five strong female characters, played by Lavanya, Swasika, Ditya Varsha, and me. Each of them plays a significant role and drives the narrative forward. My character also has a romantic angle and is involved in mass action sequences in the film.

Post the massive success of Kantara, what made you choose fewer films?

I was offered multiple films in Kannada and Tamil after Kantara, but sadly, all the roles were similar — that of a village belle. I ended up rejecting many offers. But when Thammudu came up, I felt that Dil Raju and his massive production house provided the perfect opportunity for my Telugu debut. I feel that, among all the characters, the audience will remember Ratna from Thammudu.

Working with the likes of Nithiin?

Nithiin and I have special roles in the film. Our teenage love story evolves into beautiful moments, and it doesn’t disrupt the narrative. The comic touch to my character and Nithiin’s reactions are designed to be very engaging. Nithiin is a thorough professional and helped me a lot during the shoot.

What can we expect from Thammudu?

Thammudu is not your regular action drama. The story unfolds over a single night, and the five female characters drive the narrative. Though the film has received an A certificate, the audience won’t find anything objectionable apart from the intense action sequences.

Also Read: Is Suhas playing a key role in Prabhas-Sandeep Vanga's Spirit? Here's the clarity