After the blockbuster hit Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, renowned production house Sri Venkateswara Creations is back with another superhit, Thammudu. Produced by Dil Raju and Sirish, and directed by Sriram Venu, the film features Laya, Varsha Bollamma, and Saptami Gowda in pivotal roles. Thammudu is set for a grand worldwide theatrical release on July 4th. As the release approaches, actress Varsha Bollamma opened up about the film’s highlights and her experience playing a key character.
“I had previously worked with SVC in Jaanu. When I was called in for Thammudu, I gave an audition and was selected immediately after a look test. Director Sriram Venu explained that parts of the movie would be shot in dense forests and asked me if that would be a problem. I saw it as a challenge and accepted it and that’s how I was cast in the role of Chitra.”
“Chitra, my character, is the driving force in hero Nithiin’s journey as Jay. She unconditionally supports him, and their relationship is portrayed beautifully. For this role, I learned martial arts. I had always wanted to train in martial arts in real life, and this film gave me that opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed learning it. Chitra is the kind of person who doesn’t hesitate to step forward and take action. I’m not like that in real life, so it was a unique experience for me.”
“Thammudu is the perfect title for this story. We also feel happy that it shares its name with a previous blockbuster starring Pawan Kalyan. My role holds strong significance in the storyline. This is the most physically demanding film I’ve done since Bigil. Veteran actress Laya plays another key role. Her journey is truly inspiring – from a successful career as a heroine to taking a break for personal life and now making a comeback. She would often share her experiences with us on set.”
“We could’ve shot the forest scenes in a studio with artificial sets, but we chose the real location of Maredumilli. It’s a dense forest – during the monsoon, we’d see snakes and scorpions. At night, we filmed scenes holding just torches for light. There were elders and children on set who also had to endure the tough conditions. Laya garu came all the way from the U.S. and shot scenes barefoot despite being used to comfort. Every day, someone would get injured, but everyone stayed enthusiastic. Luckily, my character had shoes.
“I’m very happy to be working with SVC once more. When I did Jaanu, I was new to the industry, but they treated me with great respect. They still do. Over the years, I’ve done multiple films as a heroine, and I don’t believe in drawing a line between lead roles and character roles. If people say ‘Varsha performed really well,’ that’s enough for me. When I heard the story of Thammudu, I felt it was fresh and challenging, which is why I took it up. Nithya Menon is a great example – she has a strong reputation as a performer. I hope to earn a name like that too.”
“People usually assume Nithiin is a calm and quiet person, but he’s actually a lot of fun! Since we were shooting in the forest, there were no phones or distractions. We used to talk and joke around a lot. He respects everyone on set, regardless of seniority. I used to tease him with jokes constantly. I tend to express myself a lot through social media, and during scenes, I would sometimes improvise my lines spontaneously. But our director insisted on delivering the dialogues exactly as written, with no changes. That was a shift from my experience in Middle Class Melodies, where we were encouraged to improvise – but it suited that film.”
“Thammudu centers around a brother-sister sentiment, but the film also explores many emotional layers. My character is involved in intense action sequences. The action in this film is absolutely mind-blowing. Some films are meant to be experienced only in theatres, Thammudu is one of them. It’s a complete visual treat, backed by powerful sound. Audiences will thoroughly enjoy watching it on the big screen.”
“I’m currently acting in a web series titled Constable Kanakam, and there’s another series in the works. I’ve also signed two films – I’ll share details about them soon. One of my biggest dreams is to play a psycho killer. People might wonder why, but in crime thrillers, the most unpredictable characters often commit the most shocking crimes. If I get a chance to play such a role, I’d definitely take it.”
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