Reeshma Nanaiah is clear about one thing: She does not want to be boxed in. Launched by director Prem in Ek Love Ya, the young actor says stepping into KD: The Devil felt like a turning point. Paired opposite Dhruva Sarja for the first time, she sees the film as a big step forward. “It was a double whammy for me,” she says. “To be offered a character like Macchu Lakshmi in KD so early in my career, and a role with such weight, is not something I take lightly.”

Macchu Lakshmi, she adds, is not a subdued presence. The character is loud, expressive and unmissable on screen, a sharp shift from the softer parts she has done so far. “I don't like to fall into the same loop of love stories. I stayed patient. I waited for something with range, something that would push me. I knew what I had done in KD.”

The role, she says, brings back memories of strong roles once played by actors like Manjula, Malashree and Rakshitha. “I grew up watching them. Those performances stayed with me. It has been a long time since we have seen a character like this on screen. When this came to me, I felt I finally had the space to show my acting potential. As an artist, that felt satisfying.”

For Reeshma, longevity matters more than numbers. “Doing ten films in the same space is one thing. But good work with one film stays with people.” She points to Prem as an example. “Even children call him ‘Jogi Prem’ because his work has stayed with them. That kind of recall inspires me.”

She credits Prem’s belief in her, for performing well in KD. “He trusted me, even with dubbing. That gave me a lot of confidence.”

Also, she is not carried away by the external chatter around KD. “There was a clear thought behind everything. It was never meant to hurt anyone. We respect audience feedback. I respect how quickly the team responded. That is something I will take with me.”