When Dhanya called shots for ‘Second Hand’

For someone who is taking her baby steps in Tollywood, actress Dhanya Balakrishna, best remembered for her cute supporting roles in ‘Love Failure’ and ‘Seethamma Vakiltlo Sirimalle Chettu’ (SVSC), comes across as a supremely confident lass of her age. A native of Bengaluru, the actress who holds a degree in Film Studies, is playing the lead in writer-turned-director BVS Ravi’s production ‘Second Hand’, which is set to release this week.

“My character Sahasra is portrayed as a girl who is into a relationship, as a girl who is about to tie the knot and as a girl who has been cheated in a relationship. In a nutshell, it has three shades and director Kishore Tirumala has at large focused on the mental state of Sahasra in every minute detail way he can,” she smiles and continues, “He understands women’s psyche very well. Even before shooting a particular sequence, he narrates what he expects of me and asks me to get into the skin of the role. He allots 15 minutes of time so that I can prepare myself before giving my shot.”

The film, a comedy-entertainer, is predominantly about relationships, she says. “It is a realistic story and everyone will have something to take home after watching it. The dialogues are keka (superb) and I felt that ever dialogue that Kishore has penned came from his heart,” she asserts.

Recalling her favourite experience shooting for the film, she says, “There was an elaborate sequence which required my co-star Kireeti and me to shoot in a car. A particular camera angle away from the car’s steering caught the fancy of the whole team and since it was difficult for the cinematographer to be seated inside the car, we decided to direct the shot. We adjusted the frames and for 10 minutes, we both turned into the directors, cinematographers and actord as Kireeti drove the car. It has been the most memorable moment of my life till now.” Starting her career as a supporting actor, she is clear in her approach of choosing a film. “It’s not that I want to constantly play a lead actress. As long as I get meaty supporting role I will be happy to grab it and be more than contended,” she concedes.A fan of Sridevi, Pawan Kalyan and Mahesh Babu, she believes that Mahesh can make a great director. “The inputs that he gave me during ‘SVSC’ were of great help. He can become a great director.”

Having directed a short film ‘Open Window’ nearly a decade ago, the actress is keen to become a professional filmmaker one day. “I want to direct films. My passion towards acting made me to enter the industry but ten years down the lane, I want to see myself contributing in some proportions to the industry,” says the actress who dubbed on her own for ‘Second Hand’. “Naa Telugu chaala chandalanga untundi (My Telugu is bad) but I dubbed for my character.

”The starlet has left behind her past. Her comments on a social networking platform after an IPL match between Bengaluru team and Chennai team nearly 20 months ago drew considerable dissension from Chennai circles where she began her acting career. “It was the stupidest thing that I did in my life. My family too had to go through many hardships. However, it made me stronger and many people including friends from the industry too stood by me,” she recalls.