Keerthy Suresh’s portrayal of legendary actress Savitri in Mahanati remains one of the most celebrated performances in contemporary Indian cinema. The role not only earned widespread critical acclaim but also won Keerthy the National Film Award for Best Actress. Now, the actress has opened up about the extensive preparation that went into bringing the iconic star’s life to the screen.

Keerthy Suresh reveals how Savitri’s daughter helped her prepare for Mahanati: “That helped me build her character”

In a recent conversation, Keerthy reflected on the research process behind Mahanati, revealing that while Savitri’s films were an important starting point, understanding her personality away from the camera was equally essential.

According to the actress, she immersed herself in Savitri’s filmography but soon realized that watching the legendary actor’s performances alone would not help her fully understand the woman behind the screen persona. To bridge that gap, she reached out to Savitri’s daughter, Vijaya Chamundeswari, who became an invaluable source of information during her preparation.

Sharing details of the process, Keerthy said, “As a source, there were her movies that one could watch, and I had watched her movies. But I was like, ‘How do I know her off-screen personality?’ So I spoke to Vijaya Chamundeswari Garu, her daughter. She shared a lot of messages and I realised that a few things were common between us. And also, when she used to come to the shoot, she would share her personal memories. That helped me build her character (in my head). Then I heard one of her interviews on FM. It was just a two-minute interview, but when you listen to it, you have one picture in mind of her character. She was very playful, very spontaneous, and had a great sense of humour. Also, I talked to a lot of people. Once I signed the film and then whenever I went, people would say, ‘Hey, you are doing Savitri Garu’s film. My grandmother used to say this about her’. You know, they would start sharing their stories. And my mom too knew some stories. So, by putting all this together, you get some picture is mind. And then, I felt like, ‘Okay, this might be her character and now this is how I am going to give it a life’.”

The actress explained that it was the combination of family anecdotes, personal memories, interviews, and stories shared by admirers of Savitri that ultimately helped her visualize the legendary actor’s personality. By piecing together these different perspectives, Keerthy was able to create a nuanced portrayal that resonated with audiences across languages and generations.

Released in 2018, Mahanati chronicled the life and career of Savitri, one of the most celebrated actresses in Indian cinema. Keerthy’s performance was widely praised for capturing both the public persona and emotional complexities of the late star.

On the work front, Keerthy Suresh has an exciting slate of projects ahead. She will next be seen in Raftaar, Sathyavan Savithiri, Rowdy Janardhana, and the highly anticipated series Akka, further cementing her position as one of the most sought-after performers in the industry.

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