I previously worked with SVC in Jaanu, and when they called me for Thammudu, I auditioned and was selected right after a look test,” Varsha shared. “Director Sriram Venu told me parts of the movie would be shot in dense forests and asked if that would be an issue. I took it as a challenge and that’s how I landed the role of Chitra.”
Speaking about her character, Varsha revealed, “Chitra is the driving force behind hero Nithiin’s journey as Jay. She stands by him unconditionally, and their relationship is portrayed beautifully. For this role, I learned martial arts, which had always been on my bucket list. This film finally gave me that chance, and I thoroughly enjoyed the process. Chitra is someone who never hesitates to step up, which is quite different from who I am in real life so it was a unique and enriching experience.”
On the film’s title, Varsha said, “Thammudu is the perfect title for this story. It’s wonderful that it shares its name with a classic hit starring Pawan Kalyan. My role has strong significance in the narrative, and this is the most physically demanding film I’ve done since Bigil. Veteran actress Laya also plays a key role, and her journey is truly inspiring from a successful stint as a heroine to taking a break for personal life, and now making a comeback. She would often share her valuable experiences with us on set.”
Talking about the challenging shoot, she recalled, “We could’ve filmed the forest scenes in a studio, but we chose the real location of Maredumilli, which is incredibly dense. During the monsoon, we even encountered snakes and scorpions! At night, we shot scenes with just torchlights. There were elders and children on set who had to endure these harsh conditions. Laya garu flew in from the U.S. and shot scenes barefoot, despite being accustomed to comfort. Almost every day, someone would get hurt, but everyone stayed motivated. I was lucky my character wore shoes!”
Varsha expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with SVC again. “When I did Jaanu, I was new to the industry, but they treated me with so much respect, and they still do. Over the years, I’ve played several lead roles, but I don’t believe in dividing characters into ‘lead’ or ‘supporting’ categories. If people watch the film and say, ‘Varsha did a great job,’ that’s all that matters to me. When I first heard the story of Thammudu, it felt fresh and challenging, and I immediately wanted to be a part of it. I admire performers like Nithya Menen, who have earned a name for their craft I hope to build a similar reputation.”
On working with Nithiin, Varsha shared a fun side of the shoot: “People think Nithiin is calm and quiet, but he’s actually a lot of fun! Since we were deep in the forest with no phones or distractions, we spent time talking and joking around. He respects everyone on set, regardless of seniority. I’d tease him constantly! I’m usually expressive on social media and like to improvise lines during scenes. But for Thammudu, our director insisted we stick strictly to the script, which was a shift from my experience in Middle Class Melodies, where we had the freedom to improvise.”
She added, “While Thammudu revolves around a brother-sister bond, it also explores many emotional layers. My character is involved in intense action sequences, and the action is absolutely mind-blowing. Some films are meant to be experienced only on the big screen Thammudu is definitely one of them. It’s a complete visual treat, with powerful sound and breathtaking visuals that will captivate audiences in theatres.”
Looking ahead, Varsha shared, “I’m currently working on a web series titled Constable Kanakam, and another series is in the pipeline. I’ve also signed two films, and I’ll share details about them soon. One of my biggest dreams is to play a psycho killer. It might sound surprising, but in crime thrillers, the most unpredictable characters make the most shocking impact. I’d love to take on such a challenging role if the opportunity comes.”
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