She started her career as a model, registered high popularity as a television anchor and now, is set to create waves on the silver screen with a bold theme.
In her long and successful career on Telugu television, Prasanthi has been consistent in scoring success, holding anchor for a string of shows. From having recipes stirred for cookery shows to celebrity interviews to fun-filled game shows, she has done it all with élan. And now, she will be seen in ‘Affair’, being presented as the first Telugu film on lesbians.
Prasanthi, who made her movie debut with ‘Anaganaga’, describes her latest film as a bold one that has challenged her as an actress. “When the offer came, I did ponder over it for some time. It’s not a film that takes the beaten track but presents the love story of two girls,” she says.
In the movie, directed by Srirajan, she is featured along with Geetanjali.
For the tomboyish characterisation, she sports short hair that effects a change from her usual mannerism. “The role challenged me. It is an experimental characterisation and a good artiste should be able to don different shades,” she says. Lesbian themes are well accepted in English movies and have also been attempted earlier in Hindi movies. “Why can’t it be tried out with a Telugu audience?” she asks.
Prasanthi’s tryst with the camera began when she was still a student. “I was doing my graduation from Geetanjali Women’s College in Punjagutta when I got to model for ‘Vasundhara’ and then ETV offered me an opportunity to anchor ‘Cine Ranjani’,” she recalls. A series of shows followed from ‘Manorajani’ to ‘Super’ and with most scaling the popularity charts, the cheery anchor was on Gemini Music too.
What after ‘Affair’? There are other offers, but Prasanthi, who has refused movie roles earlier, says she continues to be choosy about the roles she accepts. “Whether it is a television show or a film role, I take only those I am comfortable with and excited about,” she adds.
- T. Lalith Singh
“It’s not a film that takes the beaten track but presents the love story of two girls”
