“Playing Shanti in Om Shanti Shanti Shantih Gave Me Immense Joy; It’s a Family Entertainer Everyone Can Connect With” – Eesha Rebba
Multi-talented Tarun Bhascker plays the lead role in the hilarious village-based comedy entertainer Om Shanti Shanti Shantih, with Eesha Rebba as the female lead. The film marks the directorial debut of A.R. Sajeev and is produced by Srujan Yarabolu, Aditya Pittie, Vivek Krishnani, Anup Chandrasekharan, Sadiq Shaik, and Naveen Sanivarapu under the banners of S Originals and Movieverse Studios. Kishore Jaladi and Bala Soumya serve as co-producers.
The promotional content released so far has received an overwhelming response. Om Shanti Shanti Shantih is gearing up for a grand worldwide theatrical release on January 30. On this occasion, Eesha Rebba interacted with the media and shared insights about the film.
You’re coming up with a film after a brief gap. Have you become more selective with scripts?
Yes, there has been a bit of a gap. My previous film didn’t work out as expected. After that, I decided to choose scripts only when I am fully confident that the story and my character will translate well onto the screen. This film gave me that confidence, which is why I came on board.
This is a remake. How did you feel when the opportunity came your way?
I was genuinely very happy. I loved the original version of the film, especially the heroine’s character. It’s a universally relatable story that connects instantly with audiences.
Were there changes made to suit Telugu nativity?
Yes, many changes were made to adapt the story and characters to Telugu sensibilities. The emotions are portrayed in a way that everyone can relate to. While watching the film, audiences won’t feel like it’s a remake at all. Every character feels organic and relatable.
What excited you about playing Shanti?
Playing Shanti was extremely exciting for me. I had been waiting for a character like this for a long time. I always wished to do at least one such role in my career, and this film fulfilled that dream. I gave my 100 percent to this character.
What kind of film is Om Shanti Shanti Shantih?
It’s a wholesome family entertainer. The main conflict is narrated in a very funny and entertaining way. There’s no forced messaging—it’s all presented naturally through humor and emotions.
The trailer shows slap scenes. Were those real?
(Laughs) I enjoy films that have some action in them. Yes, there are slap scenes. One scene required the slap to look absolutely real, including chutney sticking to the cheek. To achieve that effect, the slap had to be real, and it was quite hard. The tears you see in my eyes in that scene are completely real.
There’s also an action sequence where both Tarun and I got hurt. During the COVID period, I learned martial arts, which helped me perform these scenes.
How was delivering dialogues in the Godavari accent?
I didn’t find it difficult because my mother is from Rajahmundry, and I spent most of my summer holidays there. However, it was quite challenging for Tarun. He worked extremely hard on the accent since he hadn’t done anything outside the Telangana dialect before. His effort shows clearly on screen—you’ll only see the character Omkar Naidu.
Any memorable shooting experiences?
We shot the film during peak summer, but the heat didn’t feel like a challenge since I’m used to that climate. However, we shot a scene at the Dhavaleswaram Barrage, and I’m scared of water. I was genuinely frightened while shooting it. But when I saw the scene on the monitor later, it turned out beautifully.
How was it working with Tarun Bhascker?
It was a very happy experience. Though Tarun is a director himself, during this film, his entire focus was on acting. I never saw him giving suggestions to the director or checking the monitor. He was fully committed as an actor.
You’ve done a variety of roles in your career. Is that a conscious choice?
Yes, I enjoy doing different kinds of characters. Films like Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha, Ami Thumi, Brand Babu, and Three Roses all featured completely different roles. Variety excites me as an actor.
Darshana Rajendran earned great acclaim for this role in the original. How did you approach it?
The original was a big hit, and Darshana performed brilliantly. I messaged her when I signed the film, and she wished me luck, saying I’d do great. I approached the role based on how I felt I should portray it and what the director expected from the character.
What similarities do you share with Shanti?
There aren’t many similarities. She grew up in a completely different environment. She knows martial arts and can fight when needed. I can’t really do that in real life (laughs).
What can you tell us about director A.R. Sajeev?
Sajeev has a very clear vision. He’s extremely determined and works relentlessly to bring what he imagines onto the screen. He pays great attention to even the smallest details and convinces everyone with his clarity. He has done complete justice to this story.
What are your upcoming projects?
I’ve listened to a couple of stories, and one Tamil film is currently in progress.
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