Reel-world History Lessons

Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandana speak to Puja Talwar about their latest release Chhaava and challenges of working in period films

- 

The last decade has seen a rise in films based on historical figures and incidents. Now with the success of the Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandana-starrer Chhaava, the spotlight is again on the historical film genre in Indian cinema. Based on the life of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the film has managed to pull crowds to the theatres and made a whopping ₹700 crores in the first three weeks of its release.

RASHMIKA MANDANA
‘I am Just Doing a 9-6 Job’

They call you the girl with the Midas touch. You are fresh off the success of Pushpa 2 and have an equally amazing roster of films lined up ahead. How do you pick and choose projects and subjects you want to be part of?

I think subconsciously. I operate from a space where I know fully that I’m an entertainer. I’m here to entertain people and keep on doing films that are educational as well as pure entertainment. I’m here to make people laugh with me, cry with me, and make them feel the same emotions that I am feeling on screen. I chose this industry as my life itself. Honestly, I have stopped distinguishing between the two (Bollywood and South).

You are hailed as the national crush. The stardom and fame you have achieved are amazing. But how do you process this?