“The Role of ‘Sheelavathi’ in Ghaati Will Forever Stay in My Career” – Queen Anushka Shetty
Queen Anushka Shetty is back with one of the most anticipated action dramas of the year, Ghaati. Starring opposite Vikram Prabhu and directed by visionary filmmaker Krish Jagarlamudi, the film is produced by Rajeev Reddy and Saibabu Jagarlamudi under First Frame Entertainment, with UV Creations’ presentation. With its gripping promotional content, Ghaati has already created tremendous buzz ahead of its grand release on September 5th.
As part of the pre-release promotions, Anushka Shetty interacted with the media and shared her excitement, experiences, and insights about the film.
On completing 20 years in cinema and choosing Ghaati:
“It feels very exciting. Ghaati has given me the opportunity to play Sheelavathi, a truly amazing character unlike anything I’ve done before. It has several beautiful shades and pushed me beyond my comfort zone.
In the past, I’ve played strong roles in films like Arundhati, Rudramadevi, Baahubali, and Bhaagamathie. Sheelavathi too is a strong woman, but what makes her unique is the different dimension Krish garu has given to her. Women may appear gentle and simple on the outside, but when situations demand, they become pillars of strength—that’s what this character embodies.”
On her first reaction to the story:
“When Krish garu and writer Srinivas narrated the story, I was instantly intrigued by the culture it explored. Once we visited the locations, I realized we would be presenting audiences with an entirely new character, culture, and visual experience. That excited me even more.”
On the ‘ganja’ element in the film:
“Krish garu always chooses stories that are socially relevant. Yes, the issue we touch upon is serious and rooted in society. But we’ve treated Ghaati as an action-packed commercial entertainer. At the same time, the film carries a very positive and important message.”
On reuniting with Krish after Vedam:
“Absolutely, expectations are high. After Vedam, where I played Saroj, we often thought about doing another film together. But we wanted the right story to come organically. Ghaati was that story. Krish garu has always trusted me with powerful characters, and I’m grateful to him. Sheelavathi will forever remain one of the most memorable roles in my filmography.”
On fan support during remote-location shoots:
“Yes, even in remote border areas of Andhra–Odisha, fans came in huge numbers to see us. I always remain grateful to my fans and audiences. Directors like Rajamouli garu presented films like Baahubali in such a grand way that my work reached audiences worldwide. Cinema has that power—if you do good work, recognition comes from every corner of the globe. I thank all the filmmakers who have given me such wonderful roles from Arundhati to now.”
On the producers:
“I thank Rajeev Reddy garu and UV Creations for believing in this unique subject and making it on such a grand scale. Working with them has always been a wonderful journey.”
On the physical challenges during shooting:
“Most of my films involved hard work, and Ghaati was no exception. Yes, we had to climb big mountains and shoot in tough terrains, which required physical effort. But it was exciting. Krish garu planned everything so well that even the most difficult shoots turned into memorable experiences.”
On working with Vikram Prabhu:
“I’ve always admired Vikram Prabhu garu. I loved his film Kumki. He’s a true gentleman and was a perfect fit for the role of Desiraju.”
On the film’s technical team:
“Cinematographer Manoj’s visuals and Sagar’s music brought freshness to the film. The music itself feels like a character. Krish garu also penned three songs, and I especially love the poetic phrase ‘Kundeti Chukka.’ With just a few words, he adds so much depth to the storytelling.”
On her personal life and leisure time:
“I’m not very active on social media and don’t appear much in public. I spend most of my free time traveling, reading, and watching films. Right now, I’m reading the Mahabharata. For the past two years, I’ve been spending more quality time with my family.”
On roles she still wants to play:
“I would love to do an out-and-out negative role. If a strong negative character comes my way, I’ll definitely take it up.”
On upcoming projects:
“Yes, I’m listening to scripts. I already have a strong lineup ahead. I’m working on my first Malayalam film, which excites me a lot. Very soon, there will also be an announcement about my next Telugu project—it’s going to be very interesting.”
With Ghaati, Anushka Shetty once again promises a powerful performance that blends strength, grace, and intensity—reminding audiences why she continues to reign as one of South India’s most celebrated actresses.
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