“Strong Female Roles in Thammudu” – Sapthami Gowda
After the blockbuster success of Sankranthi Ki Vasthunnam, Sri Venkateswara Creations is gearing up to deliver another powerful film, Thammudu. Produced by Dil Raju and Sirish, and directed by Sriram Venu, the film stars Nithiin in the lead, alongside Laya, Varsha Bollamma, and Sapthami Gowda. As Thammudu readies for a grand worldwide theatrical release on July 4th, actress Sapthami Gowda, who plays the pivotal role of Ratna, shared her thoughts and experiences.
On Bagging the Role:
“After Kantara, I received a call from director Sriram Venu regarding Thammudu. I flew to Hyderabad for a look test. Once that went well, I was handed the full dialogue script. The character of Ratna was already well-developed at that stage, and they even asked me to begin horse riding training. We shot major portions in Araku, though the schedule was slightly delayed due to Nithiin garu’s shoulder injury. Overall, working on Thammudu has been an enriching experience.”
About Her Character – Ratna:
“I play Ratna, a spirited girl from the village of Ambaragodugu who’s a huge fan of Pawan Kalyan. While some might compare my look in Thammudu to my appearance in Kantara, Ratna as a character is entirely different. The film has a serious core, but my character brings moments of levity. Ratna adds fun to the narrative when Laya garu and Nithiin garu visit the village under unusual circumstances. My light-hearted interactions with them create humor that audiences will enjoy. And though it might look like Ratna is a radio jockey, her actual identity is something that will unfold only in the film.”
“I even had to ride a horse across rocky terrain, which was physically demanding. I practiced for 3–4 hours daily. It was tough but incredibly fulfilling once I saw the final shots.”
On the Legacy of the Title:
“I’m aware of Pawan Kalyan garu’s iconic film Thammudu. Director Venu garu explained its legacy to me. While I haven’t watched the entire movie yet, I certainly plan to before our version releases.”
A Role with Impact:
“Though my screen time isn’t very long, Ratna’s character is impactful. Venu garu told me it was his favorite character to write. In fact, I was the first actor cast in the film. That trust and clarity gave me a lot of confidence.”
Empowering Female Representation:
“One of the standout aspects of Thammudu is the strong presence of women. Characters played by myself, Laya, Varsha, Ditya, and Swasika all hold significance. Each woman brings something unique—Gutthi, for example, is a bus driver and even learned to drive a bus for this role. Laya garu plays a stern officer. There are even action scenes involving female characters, which is rare. It’s refreshing to see women portrayed not just as romantic interests but as fighters and changemakers. Female audiences will feel proud watching these characters on screen.”
On the Love Story with Nithiin:
“There’s a beautiful love track between my character and Nithiin’s. It starts as a teenage romance and evolves as the story progresses. By the end, audiences will be rooting for our characters to unite.”
Working with Sri Venkateswara Creations:
“I’m thrilled that my Telugu debut is under such a prestigious banner. Dil Raju garu and Sri Venkateswara Creations know how to launch and support a film on a grand scale. Director Sriram Venu has crafted every detail meticulously, pushing both actors and technicians to deliver their best. His passion truly reflects on screen.”
Why Thammudu is a Theatrical Must-Watch:
“Thammudu is a large-scale film with visually stunning sequences. If you’ve watched the trailer, you already know the grandeur. It’s the kind of cinematic experience that truly comes alive only on the big screen.”
On Future Projects and Her Career Path:
“I love doing commercial cinema, and Thammudu falls into that space. I really admired Rashmika’s role in Pushpa. I’m open to similar powerful roles. After Kantara, I got many offers but turned down most because they didn’t excite me. I’m selective because I want every role I do to matter. I’m currently working on two more Telugu films, along with projects in Tamil and Kannada. I’ll share more soon. My goal is to work across industries—language should never be a barrier.”
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