New Telugu girl on the block

Supraja Burugula caught the attention of many when the first teaser of ‘Vellipomakey’ released last year. The Hyderabadi girl admits harbouring dreams of seeing herself on screen from very early on. “I wanted acting to be my second career but since I didn’t know anyone in the industry, I had no idea how to get in. It was through a common friend that I got to audition for a small role in ‘Vellipomakey’ but ended up being zeroed in on for the second lead,” Supraja, who was pursuing B Tech back then, gushes.

Recalling the experience of shooting for the film, she shares, “Yakub Ali (the director) used to explain a scene, and would ask me to feel and emote, that’s it. I was never told about the complete script, and I never had any issues with it. Since the character was close to what I’m in real life, it was easy to portray her,” she reveals.

Talking about her character, Shruti, she shares, “She is a Vijayawada girl who lands in Hyderabad for a job. In the process, she bumps into Chandoo (played by Vishwak Sen). She is independent, career-oriented and doesn’t believe in love. She helps in changing Chandoo’s approach towards girls.”

Supraja, who is currently employed with Computer Sciences Corporation, Hyderabad admits that she never thought that romantic drama would carry the buzz it has managed till now. “As a matter of fact, we never thought of taking the film to the big screen. We wanted some top shots to see it and based on their feedback, we wanted to put it on YouTube. But Dil Raju sir’s decision to distribute it was like a bolt from the blue,” she says.

She further adds that her parents too were in for a shock when they realised how many clicks their first promotional video garnered. “When I started doing the film, I told them, ‘It’s a very small film.’ They were okay with it. But when the teaser went viral, my mom said, ‘This is not what you told me’. Nonetheless, they are happy that their daughter has become a mini celebrity of sorts right now,” she smiles.

She admits to having butterflies-in-stomach feeling as the film’s release is inching closer. “But this phase is fun and exciting. We know there might be contrasting opinions about the film once it opens but we are prepared to face everything,” she concludes.

By Nagaraj Goud