Gautham Menon joins Euphoria cast

Aakanksha Singh talks about her criteria for choosing projects, the challenges of shooting a film like Shashtipoorthi, and more

- BH HARSH

The upcoming release Shashtipoorthi marks Aakanksha Singh's return to Telugu cinema after a considerable gap. Her last film project, Clap, which was a straight-to-OTT release, was released nearly three years ago. The actor, however, sounds unfazed about not making frequent appearances on the big screen. She says, "If I sit and wait for big films, there is no guarantee they will come to me. If your work is good, people will approach you—there might be a delay, but they will."

While Aakanksha mentions she has been craving a theatrical release, she also talks about holding herself accountable to her audience. "I get many messages on social media, asking, 'why the gap?' My job is to entertain my audience, and I am giving my 100 percent."

In Shashtipoorthi, which also stars Rajendra Prasad, Archana, and debutant actor Rupeysh, who is doubling up as the producer, Aakanksha plays a temple treasurer named Janaki. "Usually you see middle-aged men performing these roles. That's a strong point to be made, as a young girl. She is strong, independent, educated yet a proper Telugu ammai at the same time. This role has many shades," says Aakanksha.