Ram Gopal Varma immensely liked the script of ‘Dongaata’ but said the genre wasn’t his cup of tea. He wanted more thrill elements

Lakshmi Manchu

Actress-producer Lakshmi Manchu is a bundle of energy as she speaks about her upcoming release, ‘Dongaata’, in which she plays a happening actress Shruti, who is abducted by a group for ransom. The film is her first attempt at humour. “It is an out and out entertainer and a perfect summer viewing. I didn’t make it for awards. The audience should let me know how foolish I was in the film,” she smiles.

Ram Gopal Varma, Lakshmi says, was the first choice to direct it. “We wanted to collaborate since long. He immensely liked the script but said it wasn’t his cup of tea. He was looking for more thrill elements,” she recalls. The film was shot under a tight budget and Lakshmi says it will be the way forward for her.

“When I met Mukesh Bhatt some time ago, he said, ‘Cinema is never wrong, it is always the budget.’ My biggest mistake – as far as my production career is concerned – was to start off with Raghavendra Rao uncle. He made life so easy for me that I assumed all filmmakers would be like him. ‘Uu Kodathara Ulikki Padathara’ was my slip-up –budget wise.

After that I produced ‘Gundello Godari’ and I couldn’t say no to certain things being a producer,” she says, adding, “But for ‘Dongaata’, I was in complete command. Since I knew the director Vamsi very well, it was easier to shoot in the pre-planned budget. As a producer I’m very satisfied. In fact I even sold off every territory.”

‘Dongaata’ aside, her younger brother Manoj’s marriage is another thing that’s keeping her really busy. Manoj will tie the knot with girlfriend Pranathi on May 20 in Hyderabad. She is overlooking the sangeet arrangements. “Dad is gung ho about the way things are going on.

Every day he has some entertainment activity going on at home. Initially we wanted to have a destination wedding with family and relatives abroad considering it is summer. But my father opposed it as he was keen on a traditional Telugu wedding,” signs off Lakshmi, who will produce debutant Tarun Bhaskar’s next.