Tell us about your background. How did your journey from Assam to Tollywood begin?
Bhairavi Arthya: I come from Assam, where my parents and younger sister still live. Since childhood, I have been very passionate about films and acting. I grew up watching different kinds of movies, including Telugu films, and slowly developed a strong dream of becoming an actress. That dream stayed with me for many years, and I decided to follow it with complete dedication. My journey from Assam to Tollywood was not easy, but I kept working hard because I truly wanted to make a place for myself in cinema.
How did you get the opportunity to act in Kotha Malupu?
Bhairavi Arthya: While continuing my studies, I started attending auditions. At that time, I did not know Telugu at all, which was a major challenge for me. But I never allowed that to stop me. For nearly two to three years, I kept attending auditions and also made a serious effort to learn the language. I practiced speaking Telugu with people around me and slowly improved my confidence. Kotha Malupu happened because of that patience, persistence and hard work. I feel very happy that my efforts have given me this opportunity.
Tell us about your character in the film.
Bhairavi Arthya: My character’s name is Varalakshmi. She is an innocent, lively and free-spirited village girl from Konaseema. She follows her heart and lives life in a very natural way. There is a lot of innocence and emotional beauty in her character. As an actress, this role gave me a wonderful chance to perform and show different shades. Varalakshmi is a very relatable character, and I believe audiences will connect with her.
How was your experience playing a girl from Konaseema?
Bhairavi Arthya: Konaseema was a completely new world for me. I was fascinated by its beauty, especially the coconut groves, local culture, food and lifestyle. I also enjoyed the seafood there. Since Assam and Konaseema are culturally very different, I wanted to understand the place properly before playing the role. Before the shoot began, I stayed in Konaseema for almost a month. During that time, I observed the local people, their dressing style, body language, way of speaking and daily lifestyle. That preparation helped me a lot. Now many people tell me that they did not feel I was from Assam and that I looked like a native Telugu girl in the film. That is a big compliment for me.
What were the biggest challenges you faced during the film?
Bhairavi Arthya: Language was definitely the biggest challenge for me. Even after learning Telugu, speaking in the Godavari-region dialect was not easy. I had to practice a lot to get the tone and pronunciation right. Another challenge was the weather, because we shot during the monsoon season. Sometimes the conditions were difficult, but the whole team supported me very well. Because of their encouragement, I was able to overcome those challenges and give my best.
How supportive were the director and the hero during the shoot?
Bhairavi Arthya: Director Shiva Varaprasad garu was extremely patient and supportive throughout the shoot. Whenever I had trouble understanding a dialogue or scene, he explained it to me clearly and calmly. Akash was also very encouraging and helpful. Since I was new to the industry, their support made me feel comfortable on set. They never made me feel nervous or out of place. Their encouragement helped me perform better and gave me a lot of confidence.
What is your opinion about the Telugu film industry?
Bhairavi Arthya: I have admired Telugu cinema since my school days. I always loved the emotional storytelling, strong characters and entertainment in Telugu films. After entering the industry, I realized how welcoming and supportive people here are. I learned many things about acting and filmmaking after coming here. To improve my skills further, I also completed a six-month acting course at Natarang Theatre in Hyderabad. That training helped me understand performance better.
Who are your favorite Telugu actors and actresses?
Bhairavi Arthya: Among actors, I admire Pawan Kalyan garu and Mahesh Babu garu a lot. I like their screen presence, style and the way they connect with audiences. Among actresses, I am a big fan of Rashmika Mandanna and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. I admire their performances, confidence and the way they have built their careers.
What do you like most about Hyderabad?
Bhairavi Arthya: The first thing that comes to my mind is Hyderabad’s famous Chicken Dum Biryani. I absolutely love it. Apart from the food, I also like the atmosphere of the city. The people here are warm, friendly and welcoming. Hyderabad has given me many good memories, and I feel happy being here.
Have you watched Kotha Malupu? What was your reaction?
Bhairavi Arthya: Yes, I have watched Kotha Malupu three times already. I genuinely loved the film. It has family emotions, entertainment, comedy, suspense and many engaging elements. The film has something for every section of the audience. I strongly believe people will enjoy watching it in theatres.
Are you interested in working on OTT projects?
Bhairavi Arthya: Yes, absolutely. For me, the most important things are a good story and a meaningful character. I am open to both theatrical films and OTT projects. I want to work in roles that help me grow as an actress. My ultimate goal is to become a respected performer and make my parents proud.
Who inspires you the most?
Bhairavi Arthya: It is difficult to name just one person. I get inspired by many senior artists. Their struggles, dedication and success stories motivate me to keep learning and improving. Every artist has a journey, and I believe there is something to learn from everyone.
What is your opinion on glamour in cinema?
Bhairavi Arthya: Glamour is definitely important for an actress, but it is not everything. Acting talent, choosing the right roles and delivering memorable performances are equally important. I want to build my career through good films and meaningful characters. I believe strong performances stay with the audience for a long time.
What would you like to say to Telugu audiences?
Bhairavi Arthya: The Telugu audience has given me immense love and encouragement. I hope to continue receiving their blessings and support. Please watch Kotha Malupu in theatres and encourage our film. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
