The 'RX100' fame actor played a village belle with hearing and speech impairment in Ravi Teja's 'Disco Raja' in 2020.
Payal Rajput. (Supplied)
Director Ajay Bhupathi and his discovery, Payal Rajput, have teamed up again for Mangalavaaram.
The teaser of the film, which was released on 8 July, has received a massive response.
“When RX100 (2018) was released, I had the same surreal feeling. But it was a beautiful journey. Ajay has been working on Mangalavaaram for two years. He takes his work seriously and the process, too, is long,” the actress told South First
Six months ago, Ajay Bhupathi met Payal Rajput at her home and narrated the story of Mangalavaaram. She immediately gave her nod.
“When he wanted to meet me, it was already a ‘yes’ to the project in my heart. When he started narrating the story, I had goosebumps,” she said.
Payal Rajput in ‘Mangalavaaram’. (rajputpaayal/ Instagram)
Payal further added, “I gave my approval not because he gave me a break. He always said I should do his film only if I am comfortable, or else, we could work again later. Ajay is the man who is responsible for my entry into the Telugu film industry. He is a student of RGV and I am in awe of his vision.”
About the movie, she remarked, “After a couple of hours of narration, I was like ‘wow’. I can’t disclose much but I can say that it is a thriller. In the teaser, you saw me shouting and screaming. I have been inundated with calls ever since the promo was out.”
Payal Rajput hastened to add: “We shot for three-four months in Ravulapalem. The acting was difficult this time, far more difficult than RX100. When I heard the story, I was clear in my mind that I am going to give it all.”
The actor discloses that she suffered from infections and even hurt herself during the shoot.
It was sweltering, but she didn’t give excuses. In the 99-day schedule, she shot for 50 days.
There was quite a lot of physical stress and fight scenes. The film has no hero or heroine and it is obvious that the content is king.
Managalavaaram will hit the theatres in September.
Poster of web series ‘3 Roses’. (rajputpaayal/ Instagram)
When asked what Ajay Bhupathi had to say about her, Payal quipped: “He said I have improved and evolved a lot since my debut. On many occasions, he would okay a shot, but I wouldn’t be satisfied. I am a spontaneous actor. I can’t perform if I prepare more. So, I go with a blank mind and do whatever my director asks me to.”
The RX100-actor also disclosed how the shoot took a toll on her physical and mental self.
“I took 15-20 days to snap out of the character. Shailu is a village girl, introvert, and simple person. Something happens to her and there is a conflict.”
Payal Rajput played a village belle earlier, too. She appeared as a young woman with hearing and speech impairment in Ravi Teja’s Disco Raja (2020).
In the web series Three Roses (2021), she played a spoiled brat who was high on life; her parents were orthodox though.
A few days ago, she played a character in Mayapetika (2023).
“I am doing something new in every film. I want to do different characters and want people to remember me for my work. They should remember me as a good actor.”
Payal Rajput at an event. (rajputpaayal/ Instagram)
About Ajay, Payal Rajput revealed that he didn’t want any facial, pedicure or manicure for her. Instead, he wanted her to look natural.
For three months, she was away from salon services. They also made her look two shades darker.
“I had to look like an authentic Telugu girl. Look at the teaser, I look so different and tremendously beautiful. After the look, I called my mom and she wondered where Payal was.”
While the dark skin made all the difference, Payal Rajput also had to shed a few kilos to show a transition from being a schoolgirl to a college student.
“When the time is right and when they think I deserve a place in the story, I’ll be roped in. All I can do is work hard. A film is teamwork and no single person is responsible for a hit or a flop,” she asserted.
Just like RX100, Mangalavaaram, too, was shot at Ravulapalem where director Ajay Bhupathi was born and raised. He apparently canned breathtaking visuals.
Shivendra is the cinematographer and Ajneesh Loknath of Kantara (2022) fame is the music director.
Well, after delivering a blockbuster like RX100, any heroine would want to work with A-listers, but Payal Rajput is content with the roles she is being offered. Of course, she likes to work with the “stars” when the time arrives.
“I am positive and hopeful. Life is impermanent and we are talking about films. I just want to make mature decisions and go with the flow,” the actor signed off.
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