With the pre-release business of Brahmotsavam crossing Rs 100 crore, Kajal Aggarwal is pretty sure of the success of the Mahesh Babu-starrer film in which she plays the leading lady. All praises for Mahesh Babu, she says, “This is my second film with him. It has been fabulous working with him, we share a great chemistry. He is a thorough professional and a humble person.”
About her character in the film, she says, “I play an NRI girl... She is modern in her approach but her values are in place and she refuses to budge from these values.”
How different or similar is she in real life? “I am actually very similar to this character in real life. I relate to it and thus it was very easy for me to bring it alive on screen. I stick to my priorities in real life.”
Remembering her early days in the industry, Kajal says, “I am from South Mumbai. For my debut Telugu film, I was sent to a small village, Madanapalle near the Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh border. I had to ride a bicycle amidst goats in the village. When I look back I find it unbelievable that I did it… It was the first time I was riding a cycle, but it was worth it.”
Like many others, she too doesn’t find much difference between the industries. “Everyone is very professional, be it Kollywood, Tollywood or Bollywood. I would love to continue working down South and in Hindi films too. My B-town fans will see me next in Do Lafzon Ki Kahani, it will release in June. Then there’s a Tamil film with Rana Daggubati and another one with Vikram.”
What does she do in her leisure time? “My favourite pastime is reading, also I love to cook and travel. I have learnt cooking South Indian dishes like idli, dosa and sambhar as well. I also love to make desserts.”
Kajal says that she is also looking forward to travel outside India on a solo trip. “Yes, if time permits I would love to travel to London. I had been there by myself a few years ago. In the meantime, if I get some time this year, I will come back to Mumbai and visit all my favourite joints in the city.” She, however, feels quite at home in Hyderabad and Chennai. “Whenever I am shooting in these cities, the cooks at the unit know what I like, so they are always ready with my favourite food. Thus Hyderabad and Chennai are like home to me. I do not miss anything from Mumbai except my own people.”
