Keerthy Suresh is currently busy promoting her upcoming film Revolver Rita, directed by JK Chandru. While speaking about the film and her career so far, she opened up about the lasting legacy of her role as Savitri in the 2018 acclaimed drama Mahanati. She also addressed the comparisons being drawn between her performance in the biopic and Bhagyashri Borse’s work in Kaantha.
Responding to a reporter's query, she noted that she feels happy that it has created an impact that continues to reverberate even today, seven years after Mahanati's release. "Even I am not able to change that identity," Keerthy remarked, adding, "No matter how many films I work on, that film had set a standard and I am very grateful for that. However, I would also say that it is equally challenging as I have to live up to it or even beat that performance. Looking back, I feel surprised that I pulled off the role at such a young age."
While she did receive a fair number of opportunities for many other biopics following Mahanati's success, Keerthy consciously stayed away from them. She said she wants to take up varied genres in her career.
Sharing the flipside of playing an intense role in the biopic, she highlighted how it took her a long time to get out of her character. "After the film's release, I used to walk in public and it would take a long time for the public to recognise me. They would surprisingly ask, 'Were you the one who played Savithri? You are so young, but you have played a mature role on screen.' Just like how it was challenging for me to skin of the character, it took me a long time to take myself out of the role," she elaborated.
Keerthy's portrayal as the iconic yesteryear actor Savitri won tremendous praise and critical acclaim. The film, helmed by Nag Ashwin, was a massive commercial success also won accolades for the songs by Mickey J Meyer, along with Ashwin's screenplay and direction. The film won Keerthy her maiden National Award at the 66th National Film Awards, solidifying and establishing her career in the South Indian film industry. Mahanati, which was also dubbed and released in Tamil and Malayalam, won the Best Feature Film as well as Costume Design during the same ceremony.
Her upcoming film Revolver Rita also stars Radikaa Sarathkumar, Super Subbarayan, Sunil, Ajay Ghosh, Redin Kingsley, John Vijay, Kalyan, Suresh Chakravarthy, Kathiravan, Sendrayan, Augustin, Blade Shankar, Ramachandran, Akshatha Ajith, Kuhasini, and Gayatri Shan. It is scheduled for release in theatres on November 28.
Bhagyashri plays Kumari in the latest film Kaantha, which is currently playing in theatres. The film is headlined by Dulquer Salmaan, Samuthirakani and Rana Daggubati. Directed by Selvamani Selvaraj, the film is inspired by life and struggles of late former actor MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, who was widely regarded as Tamil cinema's first superstar.
