Avika Gor: I have always dreamt of being a producer 

Working from an age of 10, Avika Gor quickly became one of the most recognized faces of the country, thanks to her work in the colors TV serial Balika Vadhu. Avika, who has won the hearts of people in India and abroad with her effervescent portrayal of Anandi, a bubbly child bride, slowly transitioned to films in her teens. Making an assured debut with the 2013 romantic comedy Uyyala Jampala, Gor has been working in Telugu films over the years. Today, she returns to the silver screen with Popcorn. The film which has her starring opposite Sai Ronak, is also, incidentally, her maiden venture as a producer.

Excerpts from the conversation 

How did Popcorn happen?

Director Murali (Murali Gandham) approached me with the script of Popcorn. It is a very different story, as 90% of the film is set inside a lift, with just Ronak and me in it. It is hard to keep the audience hooked to the film when it is all taking place in a single location with just two actors and nobody else. But that was the risk we took, because people crave stories that are unique these days. As an actor, I love taking up challenges and in all the films that I act in, I see to it that my role is instrumental in moving the story forward. I always choose characters  that provide me with the scope to perform. Sameerana, my character in Popcorn, is one such meaty, challenging role, and that really sealed the deal for me.

It's quite a big decision to produce a film. What made you take that call?

I have always dreamt of being a producer. I prepared for it in parallel, by completing a screenwriting course from the New York Film Academy, learning First Cut Pro to understand editing and I also did a course in filmmaking. When I first heard the story of Popcorn, I realized it demands an additional time and attention from the producer, so I took it up and wanted to be fully invested in the project. We have already shot one more film under my production and apart from that have two more films in pre-production right now. 

You have teamed up with Sai Ronak for the second time. 

Sai Ronak is one of the best co-actors I have ever worked with. He is not only one of the most talented actors out there, but he is also extremely humble and chivalrous person. I wanted someone enthusiastic and hardworking to work with me on this film and Sai Ronak fit the bill to a T.  I worked with him #Bro (2021), and was instantly taken by his positive demeanor. I recommended Sai Ronak’s name to Popcorn’s director, and that is how we got to work together for the second time. 

How have people from the industry reacted to your foray into film production?

People here, be it Nagarjuna sir or Chay (Naga Chaitanya), whoever I know here, whoever I have worked with previously, have been extremely proud of the endeavor I have undertaken. The support I received from Nagarjuna sir has been particularly touching. Him and I go way back, I have known him since he presented Uyyala Jampala. When I invited him to attend our trailer launch, he instantly agreed. He usually does not attend events like these, so it was quite a big deal that he went out of his way to support our film. 

How challenging was film production?

It took some courage on my part to become a producer at the age of 25, when I could have easily opted for the more convenient roles in commercial films. I could have just played a heroine in a mass film and gotten more money and reach. But since people have seen me for so long, they expect a little more from me. Reruns of Chinnari Pellikuthuru (the Telugu dub of Balika Vadhu) are telecast to this day on cable. Why should people step out of their home to watch me perform when they can just see me on television? Therefore, I consider it my responsibility to be a part of good films, to tell good stories, to go the extra mile every single time. And I have chosen film production after spending nearly a decade in the Telugu film industry as an actor. It took me some time to understand the technicalities and Telugu market. I took the plunge after a lot of research and groundwork. 

Could you speak a bit more about your upcoming films?

In addition to my work as a producer, I am working in a couple of Telugu films currently, as an actor. It is too early to reveal anything about them at the moment. I will also be making my debut in the Hindi film industry later this year. The Bhatts’ (Mahesh Bhatt, Vikram Bhatt) will be launching me in the fourth film of the famed 1920s horror film franchise. I am not leaving the Telugu industry anytime soon, I am truly indebted to the love people give me here. 

.