Sex as subject can easily become crass if not handled sensitively

Telugu audiences have loved your performance in the Netflix Telugu original…

I am genuinely thrilled. The response has been overwhelming, and it feels nice that audiences have embraced the show with so much love. Even after two weeks, it’s still among Netflix India’s Top 10 shows, which is incredibly heartening.

You are lucky to have worked in some interesting projects—from the viral Cup Song to working with Irrfan Khan and Dulquer Salmaan

Absolutely. I genuinely feel grateful whenever I think about the people, I have had the opportunity to work with. It’s a list that still surprises me. Every project has taught me something valuable, and I don’t take any of it for granted.

Yes, especially my grandfather. Coming from a middle-class Marathi family, there were naturally concerns about the film industry. He wanted me to complete my education first because he feared I might quit academics midway. I respected his wishes, graduated in Mass Media, and even worked with a theatre company before becoming an actor. Once he saw my commitment, he became much more supportive. Looking back, I understand that it all came from love and concern.

‘Super Subbu’ deals with sex education. Why do you think people still hesitate to discuss such an important subject?

I think it’s largely because of conditioning. We have been taught to treat the word ‘sex’ as a taboo, something that shouldn’t be discussed openly. But sex education is much more than just the act itself. It includes consent, reproductive health, women’s health, body awareness and many other important conversations.

How do you look at its presentation in the Netflix series?

Our show tries to present these topics with sensitivity and humour, making them easier to understand without losing their seriousness. Hopefully, it encourages more open conversations.

What was your first notion about the content as the subject revolved around sex?

When I first heard that the series revolved around sex education with comedy, I was curious but also cautious. It’s a subject that can easily become crass if not handled sensitively. I wanted to be completely convinced by the writing before saying yes. Director Mallik Ram narrated the story, and once I finished reading the script, I immediately knew I wanted to be part of it. It was beautifully written and handled with so much honesty and heart.

You dubbed your dialogues in Telugu by yourself. Was learning the language difficult?

I did speak my Telugu lines, and it was quite an experience. I had earlier worked in a Tamil film as well, where I spoke my own lines, although I didn’t dub for it. Learning a new language is always exciting because it helps you connect better with the character and the culture.

Did your own school teach sex education properly?

Honestly, not really. I remember, when we had sessions about menstruation in school, only the girls attended while the boys were sent out to play sports. Looking back, that never made sense because boys also need to understand these subjects. Awareness should be for everyone. I truly hope things have improved today, but if they haven’t, we still have a long way to go.

Your character is completely different from the urban roles we have usually seen you play. How did you prepare for it?

I trusted my director completely. Playing a village girl from Telangana was entirely outside my comfort zone, which made it even more exciting. During my look test, my director guided me through the body language, mannerisms and gestures typical of women from rural Telangana. My job was simply to absorb everything like a sponge and bring authenticity to the performance. I enjoyed every bit of the process.

I don’t think it’s about beauty at all. It’s simply that audiences have mostly seen me playing urban characters, so they naturally associate me with that image.I am grateful that my director looked beyond those perceptions and imagined me in this role. As actors, we need filmmakers who are willing to take such creative risks because that’s how we grow.

Earlier, actors often got typecast. Do you worry that this role could also define your future choices?

I hope not. Ultimately, what matters most to me is the story. Even if another village-girl role comes my way, I will say yes only if the script excites me. Thankfully, all my recent projects have offered very different characters, and I hope that continues.

Has ‘Super Subbu’ opened more opportunities in the South?

Yes, I have started receiving offers after the show’s success. Nothing is final yet, but it’s encouraging that people have reached out.

What’s the most memorable compliment you received after the show?

The sweetest compliment has been from Telugu audiences saying they didn’t see Mithila Palkar, but saw a girl from Telangana. As an actor, that’s probably one of the biggest compliments you can receive because it means people completely believed the character.

Finally, what message would you like to give your South Indian fans?

I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who accepted me so warmly and embraced me as a girl from rural Telangana. Your love means the world to me. I sincerely hope this is just the beginning of my journey in the South, and I look forward to returning soon, hopefully on the big screen and in many different languages. Thank you for believing in me.

Can you tell us about your upcoming Hindi projects?

I have recently finished shooting for a web series, but unfortunately, I can’t reveal any details yet because it hasn’t been officially announced. It’s a very exciting project, and I am looking forward to talking about it when the makers are ready.