Entertainment

Rashmika Mandanna Discusses ‘Chhaava’: “I Was Uncertain About How the Maharani Would Walk, Talk, or Act”

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2025

Rashmika Mandanna, celebrated as one of Indian cinema’s most talented actresses, is venturing into new territory with her role in ‘Chhaava’, where she portrays Yesubai, the spouse of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The historical drama, helmed by director Laxman Utekar, features Vicky Kaushal in the title role and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb.

In an interview with ANI, Rashmika reflected on her experience of playing a real historical figure for the first time. Unlike her prior roles, where she has crafted characters from the ground up, this time she had the distinct challenge of embodying an already established persona.

“This is my first portrayal of someone from history,” Rashmika explained. “In my previous films, I built my characters, but with Yesubai, I was stepping into someone whose life was already defined. There is nothing of Rashmika in her.”

Taking on the role of a Maratha queen brought its own challenges. Rashmika admitted that she initially struggled to grasp how a royal figure from the past would behave. “We’ve read about these figures, but we’ve never truly seen them. How would the Maharani walk, speak, or express her feelings? I had to figure all that out,” she noted. To authentically portray Yesubai, she leaned heavily on her director’s guidance.

“Laxman sir provided invaluable direction,” she shared. “I surrendered completely to his vision. The costumes, the jewelry, the set—it was all crafted to help me immerse myself into the character of Yesubai.”

Another hurdle Rashmika faced was delivering her lines in Hindi for ‘Chhaava’. Being from Coorg in South India, Hindi isn’t her native tongue.

Also Read: Most intense portrayals of Aurangzeb on screen – From Om Puri to Akshaye Khanna

“I had to put in significant effort to master my dialogues,” she confessed. “I view myself as a blank canvas, ready to adapt to the director’s vision.” This transformation was not solely linguistic; it was also physical. Donning intricate sarees and heavy jewelry every day added to the challenge. “There were no pre-draped sarees,” she laughed. “Every morning, I had to drape it from scratch. And if you needed a bathroom break, it was quite the ordeal to remove everything!”

Despite the physical demands, Rashmika felt every moment was worth it. “We aimed for authenticity, so we even used real gold jewelry. It was heavy, but it enriched the character’s portrayal.”

While ‘Chhaava’ lacks traditional dance sequences, its music is vital in establishing the film’s atmosphere. The score has been composed by the Academy Award-winning AR Rahman. Set against the backdrop of the Maratha Empire, the film delves into the reign and challenges faced by Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Entertainment

Atlee and Priya Reveal Baby Girl’s Name ‘Miyou’

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2026

Namma Kudla

Film: Popular filmmaker Atlee and his wife Priya Atlee have revealed the name of their second child on Instagram. The couple named their baby girl “Miyou.”

They shared a photo of the baby’s tiny hand and called her “a little person with a big place in our hearts.” They also mentioned their first son, Meer, in the post.

The name “Miyou” has a beautiful meaning. In Japanese, “Mi” means love and “You” means gentleness. Together, the name stands for love and kindness.

The couple announced the birth of their second child on April 20. Earlier this year, they had also shared the pregnancy news with fans through a family photoshoot.

Atlee and Priya got married in 2014 after dating for several years. Their first son, Meer, was born on January 31, 2023.

Meanwhile, Atlee is busy working on his upcoming film “Raka,” starring Allu Arjun and Deepika Padukone.

Entertainment

Fans’ Favorite Title Likely Finalized for Jr NTR-Prashanth Neel Film

Published

19 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Namma Kudla

Film: The makers of the upcoming film starring Jr NTR and directed by Prashanth Neel are likely to finalize the title “Dragon” for the movie. Interestingly, this is the same name that fans have been calling the project for a long time.

A major update from the film team is expected on May 20, the birthday of Jr NTR. The makers are planning to release a special glimpse teaser on that day.

A censor application linked to the teaser has reportedly leaked on social media. In the document, the movie’s title was mentioned as “Dragon,” which has now increased speculation about the official title.

The leaked document has created huge excitement among fans. Many fans are happy that the makers may have chosen the same title that fans suggested for the film.

The teaser duration has also grabbed attention. Reports say the teaser will have a runtime of 4 minutes and 35 seconds.

The movie is being made on a huge budget and is expected to be a high-voltage action entertainer. The shooting began nearly a year ago, but reports suggest the project may need another year for completion.

The film is being produced by Mythri Movie Makers. Reports also claim that the movie is being planned in two parts, with both parts being shot simultaneously by Prashanth Neel.

Kannada actress Rukmini Vasanth is playing the female lead in the film. The movie is expected to release around August next year. The official teaser will be released on May 20.

Entertainment

Actor Jayam Ravi Breaks Down Over Divorce Dispute

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2026

Namma Kudla

Film : Jayam Ravi has spoken emotionally about his ongoing family dispute and divorce case with his wife Aarti. The actor said he will not act in any films until the divorce process is completed.

Speaking at a press conference in Chennai, Jayam Ravi said he remained silent for a long time because he did not want to speak badly about his wife. However, he claimed that false accusations were now being made against him, and he could no longer stay quiet.

The actor said he was not allowed to meet his two children. He added that he had been paying their school fees for the last eight years and had spent nearly Rs 50 lakh on their education and care. He said people were questioning his love for his children without understanding his side of the story.

Jayam Ravi also claimed that his children were being sent to school with bodyguards, which he said made him uncomfortable. He stated that he had sacrificed many things for his family and had always worked for his wife and children.

The actor revealed that he does not even have a personal bank account and that all his earnings were kept in joint accounts with his wife. He alleged that his wife questioned every expense he made. Jayam Ravi said he married Aarti despite opposition from his parents and now regrets that decision.

During the emotional interaction, the actor broke down in tears and said he had suffered mentally because of the situation. He also claimed that he had harmed himself while dealing with emotional pain.

Reports suggest that the divorce dispute began after allegations about Jayam Ravi’s friendship with singer Kenisha. It is also reported that Aarti has sought a monthly compensation of Rs 40 lakh. The matter is currently before the court and has not yet been resolved.

Jayam Ravi also expressed anger against people whom he blamed for damaging his personal life and relationships.