After tasting success on the silver screen for a decade, with a presence in all the South Indian industries, she has now struck gold on television. Actress Sanjjanaa Galrani, known for her bold and beautiful avatars, both on and off screen, makes her small screen debut in one of the biggest shows to hit the Indian small screen. From the producers of the famed Bahubali series, Arka Media Works, get set for visual grandeur on ETV Telugu for this show being dubbed in 14 different languages including Hindi. The mega venture Swarna Khadgam, a fictional show webbed around a historical saga on a grand scale features the actress in a fearless warrior’s role. She speaks with Bengaluru Chronicle, all about it as the golden sword hits the television this Friday.
“While I was busy with multiple projects, I got a call asking if I was interested in doing a tele-serial made by Arka Media. It was a pleasant surprise. Any sensible and intelligent actor, especially after the release of the Bahubali films, would know the worth of such an opportunity. Further, when I learnt that it is being directed by Yata Satyanarayana, who is one of the finest directors on Telugu television, I took the next flight to Hyderabad! Such an opportunity does not come knocking often. It was my sheer hardwork, and making my presence felt in all South Indian languages that led me to the role,” says Sanjjanaa.
The epic tale is going to be the biggest ever to hit the Indian television.
“It is made in a grand scale with a huge budget. No less than half a crore is being spent for just one episode. In an attempt to set high standards with regards to fictional shows on TV, the makers have left no stone unturned in every department. It is as big as Bahubali with the best of computer graphics. More than thousands of technicians are working around the clock, including those who have worked for Bahubali, Bajirao Mastani, and Padmavaat,” she shares.
Non-fictional shows like Bigg Boss, Kaun Banega Crorepati, etc have done wonders for television, but the quality of fictional shows was not up to mark, and this new series is the answer. “As of now, I am known for my work in the South Indian industry, but Swarna Khadgam, which is going to be dubbed in 14 different Indian languages including Hindi, will be aired prime time and it will surely boost my prospects enormously. I cannot imagine the impact, as audiences in Punjab, West Bengal, etc will now watch my work,” she adds. Sanjjanaa who has been shooting for this epic tale since October 2017, has so far completed more than 30 episodes. She had to learn horse riding and sword fighting for it. The big question is whether the show will make it on Kannada television as it’s stand is against the whole dubbing issue.
“Imagine 1,200 members under the sun, shooting epic war sequences. The making itself was a big task. I would be on horse, concentrating on what instructions were being aired from a faraway place monitored by technicians and the director. The costumes weighed five to 6 kg, and during special occasions they were more than 10 kg. I even sustained minor injuries on a few occasions but the medical team is always there on the sets,” After the epic shooting rituals, she feels that shooting for a film in jeans under the scorching sun would be a picnic.
A saga of atleast 100 episodes, she hopes to take up more women-centric roles similar to films like Queen, and Tumhari Sulu.
