I’m very secure as an actor: Kajal

The actress opens up about teaming up with mentor Teja after a long gap, ‘Sardaar Gabbar Singh’ being a box-office turkey, Mahesh Babu and dubbing for her roles in an exclusive interaction with Hans Talkies

Kajal Aggarwal seems to be on a signing spree these days what with her landing up plum roles in Rana’s film with Teja, Jeeva’s next and Vikram’s next. Quiz her about ‘busy’ diary and the reply is instant, “Well, not really. I will start Teja sir’s film next. It will be followed by Jeeva’s and Vikram’s. I don’t call it a signing spree. If you remember, that is how I have operated over the years.”

She must be excited to team up with the man who introduced her to Tollywood?
“Obviously I am. I have a lot of respect for Teja sir. It was a great experience working with him when I started my career and I’m looking forward to collaborate with him again. Unlearning and doing it in his way… Teja’s sir’s university. It’s high time I went back to school,” she gushes.

Admittedly, it was the Teja factor that prompted her to board the as-yet-untitled project. “He did offer me some of his films earlier but I couldn’t do them because of dates. Coming to this film, my role and the script are amazing. I will join the sets on May 9.”

Kajal’s last release was ‘Sardaar Gabbar Singh’ in which she was cast opposite Pawan Kalyan. Is she disappointed with the film’s poor run? “I was very happy with the way my role shaped up. Of course, it would have been good had the film clocked better business. But it’s ok; you win some, you lose some.”

Is it easy for her to switch from a failure? “I don’t take failures to my heart and success to my head. It is another day in the office for me,” she puts it rather pragmatically. The top shot’s immediate release would be ‘Brahmotsavam’, starring Mahesh Babu in the lead. The family drama also stars Samantha and Pranitha Subhas in key roles and Kajal points out she was never in two minds whether to green-lit the film or not.

“I have signed so many two-heroine films in the past. If I am not wrong I have also been in a three-heroine film. It doesn’t really make a difference to me. I’m very secure as a person and as an actor,” she reasons. But doesn’t she think the attention is more on Mahesh and Samantha? “I don’t think so, as the full-fledged promotions haven’t begun yet. Why would you say that?” she replies tersely.

‘Brahmotsavam’ marks Kajal pairing up with Mahesh for the second time after ‘Businessman’. Has she noticed any changes in the superstar? “He’s looking younger by the day,” she smiles. “He’s growing better and better with his work. He was really good to begin with and he’s just getting better.”

Kajal is in awe of the working style of director Sreekanth Addala. “I really loved working with him and admire his school of thought. I like the way he projects simplicity on screen.”

On why her voice was not retained despite having dubbed for ‘Sardaar Gabbar Singh’ she maintains, “We were running late as we were required to go to Switzerland for the shooting of a couple of numbers. They got someone to dub for me in the interim. But you’ll hear me in my voice sooner than later.”