Sakshi Vaidya on Akhil Akkineni’s Agent: Fame doesn’t come your way without…

Mumbai-born model Sakshi Vaidya is all set to test the waters as an actress with Akhil Akkineni’s spy thriller Agent tomorrow. After a busy week promoting the film across the Telugu states, she’s eager to know how audiences respond to the thriller. Excerpts from a media interaction in Hyderabad.

“I couldn’t spend much time in college, all thanks to COVID-19 and lockdown. I am not habituated to staying idle and used that time to make social media reels instead. Some of them went viral. My friends advised me to go for acting auditions and I attended a few of them in Mumbai. Though I got a few offers, I didn’t like them much,” Sakshi shares.

A production manager from Hyderabad reached out to Sakshi for a project but she didn’t trust him initially. “Mukesh Chhabra, the popular casting director in Mumbai, insisted that the offer came for a project from a reputed banner by a known director. I auditioned for my part in Agent in Hyderabad. Surender Reddy said yes and I was on board immediately,” she adds.

Sakshi spent a major part of her life in Thane, Mumbai. “My school, college years were there. I am a physiotherapist by qualification and have turned an actor now (smiles). I play a crucial role in Agent and it offers good scope for a performance. I’m surprised I bagged such a big project for my debut. Surender Reddy was extremely supportive on sets,” she avers.

The film will offer a terrific theatrical experience with a mix of action, thrills, Sakshi says. “Agent is an out-and-out action thriller. No film is complete without a dose of love. I’ll be seen as Akhil’s romantic interest in Agent. He’s a fine co-star who’s humble. I learnt a lot from him through the making. I enjoyed the dance numbers in particular; perhaps my Bharatanatyam learnings in childhood helped.”

“I have a handful of scenes with experienced artists like Anu (garu), Murali Sharma. They offered many practical suggestions that helped me,” Sakshi adds. The debutant also believes Telugu audiences wholeheartedly accept new talent. “They’re showering immense love on me and I hope to make them proud. I am still learning Telugu and will try to dub for my future projects.”

Opening up on her learnings from the Agent experience, she states, “As a viewer, it’s so easy to dismiss a film but only as an actor will you understand the efforts of the unit. I realised that during the making of Agent. Fame doesn’t come your way without hard work.” Sakshi’s next also is another action thriller, Gandeevadhaari Arjuna alongside Varun Tej, helmed by Praveen Sattaru.