My Strongest Role Is in Nagabandham – Nabha Natesh
“I Play the Strongest Character of My Career in Nagabandham; Audiences Will Be Surprised by the Film’s Visual Grandeur” – Nabha Natesh
Actress Nabha Natesh is playing a pivotal role in the epic adventure thriller Nagabandham – The Secret Treasure, starring Virat Karna and directed by Abhishek Nama. Produced by Kishore Annapureddy and Nishita Nagireddy under the Nick Studios banner on a lavish scale, the film also features Aishwarya Menon, Jagapathi Babu, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Rishabh Sawhney in key roles.
The promotional content has already created tremendous buzz across the country, and the film is all set for a worldwide release on July 3. Ahead of the release, Nabha Natesh interacted with the media and shared interesting insights about her role, the making of the film, and her journey.
Tell us about your role in Nagabandham.
This is unlike any character I’ve played before. I portray Parvathi, a Vedic scholar. She is emotionally strong and stands firmly for her family and the people she loves. My character plays a crucial role in the story, and every decision she makes has a significant impact on the narrative. I genuinely believe audiences will be pleasantly surprised by my performance.
The film features a grand dance sequence. Tell us about it.
It was an unforgettable experience. The song was choreographed by Ganesh Acharya Master with nearly 5,000 dancers. It also incorporates classical dance elements, making it visually spectacular. I’ve never performed in a song of this scale before, and it was a completely new experience for me.
From a technical standpoint, filming such a massive song was equally challenging. It isn’t just a dance number—it also carries a deep devotional essence. Right from the beginning, our director and choreographer wanted to ensure that spiritual emotion reflected in every frame.
The set itself felt like a grand festival celebration. It reminded me of how joyful it would be if all the Gopikas gathered together in Brindavan for a divine celebration. The atmosphere during the shoot was magical, and the art direction was simply outstanding.
What can you tell us about the temple set built for the film?
The Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple set created for the film is extraordinary. It genuinely gives you the feeling of stepping into a real temple. Everyone who visited the set was amazed, and I’m confident audiences will be mesmerized by these breathtaking visuals on the big screen.
How was it working with director Abhishek Nama?
Abhishek garu has incredible clarity of vision. He imagined this story on a magnificent scale and paid attention to every tiny detail—from costumes and hairstyles to every visual element.
When he first narrated the story, I was completely mesmerized. He had prepared detailed storyboards for every scene and meticulously designed every action and reaction of each character. His pre-production work was exceptional, and during filming he executed every scene exactly as he had envisioned. Hats off to his dedication and vision. I’m eagerly waiting to watch the film just like the audience.
Preparing for my character took nearly two hours every day, as every costume and look was designed with great precision. I thoroughly enjoyed working on this film because opportunities to be part of projects of this scale are very rare.
How grand is the film visually?
Around ten massive sets were specially constructed for the film, each with its own unique design and identity. Being part of such a large-scale production has been an enriching experience as an actress.
Apart from the already released ‘Namore’ song, I also feature in another beautiful folk song. Both songs have been mounted on a grand scale and will be a visual feast for audiences.
We heard the temple schedule followed strict traditions during filming.
Yes. While shooting inside the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple set, we followed strict discipline. Everyone on the set remained vegetarian during the schedule, and an official priest performed daily rituals before filming began. Those traditions added a very spiritual atmosphere to the entire experience.
Does your character also have a romantic track?
Yes, there is romance, but that’s only one aspect of my role. There are far more important layers to the character that drive the story forward and bring major twists. I play a character that strengthens the narrative, and it’s completely different from anything I’ve done before. I’m truly proud to have played this role.
What would you like to say about the producers?
Although this is their debut production, they believed completely in the story and invested nearly ₹110 crore to bring it to life. They never compromised on quality and ensured the film matched the scale of its vision.
The promotional campaign has also been highly innovative. The Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Rath Yatra is a unique initiative that has attracted thousands of devotees. The response has been phenomenal. Launching a debut production on such a massive scale and promoting it this extensively is truly commendable.
How is the VFX work?
The visual effects are incredibly realistic and unlike anything audiences have seen before. The VFX has already received tremendous appreciation, and the final output has turned out exceptionally well.
How was it working with Virat Karna?
Virat Karna is an actor with tremendous passion and dedication. Watching him, you would never feel this is only his second film. He performed like a seasoned actor and worked extremely hard for this project. His dedication is clearly visible on screen. It was a wonderful experience sharing screen space with him.
How was cinematographer Soundar Rajan’s work?
Soundar Rajan garu has delivered stunning visuals. He’s extremely energetic on set and has captured every frame beautifully. Audiences are going to be amazed by the film’s visual richness, as every frame has been crafted to leave a lasting impression.
After iSmart Shankar, why didn’t you sign films more frequently?
I suffered a minor accident that resulted in a shoulder injury. Because of that, I took a break of nearly one and a half years. I believe an actor should return only when they are physically and mentally strong enough to give their best. I wanted to appear energetic on screen and do complete justice to every role. That’s why I resumed acting only after making a full recovery.
How was your overall experience shooting Nagabandham?
Nagabandham is a truly massive production. Nearly 200 people worked on the sets every day, and with every schedule the scale of the film kept growing. This project taught me that with teamwork, even the biggest dreams can become reality.
You’re also playing an important role in Swayambhu. Tell us about it.
Yes, and I’m thrilled to be part of two such large-scale films. Both Nagabandham and Swayambhu are designed for audiences across India and around the world. Being associated with two ambitious pan-Indian projects at the same time is something I’m extremely proud of, and it gives me immense satisfaction as an actress.
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