Sreeleela: My role in Bharaate is in complete contrast to KISS

The past month has been both hectic and exciting for Sreeleela. The actor, who was showered with appreciation for her debut role in KISS, now looks forward to the release of her second film, Bharaate. Directed by Chethan Kumar, the film stars Sriimurali in the lead role. It has received a U/A certificate from the censor board, and is set to hit theatres on October 18.

Bharaate means 'sound', and Sreeleela says it holds an important meaning for people. “Sound is something that makes a difference in everybody’s life. In Bharaate, the expressions of sounds are played through various emotions — laughter, love, and action.”

Sreeleela adds that this was one of the scripts that came to her even as she was working on her debut film. “Quite a few filmmakers were keen to cast me in their films. I wanted to wait for the release of KISS before taking up my next. However, I felt that among the stories that were narrated to me, the role sketched by Chethan Kumar was haunting and different, and it got me interested in this subject,” she recalls.

The actor cautions viewers to not expect any shades of KISS in Bharaate, as her character here is in complete contrast to her first film. “I was paired opposite a newcomer like Viraat in my debut film, but Bharaate allowed me to work with a star. It turns me into a commercial heroine. The rapport that I had with the KISS team is something I can’t expect anywhere else. It was a long journey and we worked together as a family,” she says, adding, “When I entered the sets of Bharaate, I experienced a different vibe. I did not talk at all at first. I didn’t know how to behave with a star. But Sriimurali took extra effort to make me comfortable. That’s when I started opening up on the sets. He did not hesitate to accept my request whenever I wanted a rehearsal.”

The film allowed her to showcase her skills in Bharatanatyam, horse riding, and playing the veena. And during the process of working in Bharaate, Sreeleela realised that Chethan has his own signature style when it comes to making commercial films. “I was part of a huge star cast. These were actors I had been watching all my life on screen. I was lucky to meet so many of them on the sets. And they talked about films I never knew. Suggestions came my way at every point when I faced the camera for Bharaate,” she says.

The actor, who likes challenges, had to experience a few risky situations during the shooting. During a song shoot, she ended up rolling down a mountain. “I was wearing a huge gown, and it was a helicopter shot. Sriimurali and I had to shoot a sequence together, and later, I had to run and hide. We were shooting at the top of a mountain. While running back, I slipped, and went rolling down. It would have been a long fall, but luckily, a stone stopped me. I was rattled. However, I still made sure I took part in the next shot,” she says.