Shalini Kondepudi: I’ve acted as a villain; now, I’ll direct

With legendary filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao directing “Sing Geetham” at the age of 94, the film has generated considerable curiosity ahead of its June 11 release. Featuring Ayan, Ahalya Bamroo, and Shalini Kondepudi in key roles, the film is being promoted as a unique musical comedy. During a media interaction, Shalini spoke about her character, the film’s unusual format, and her future plans.

What films have you done previously? How did you get this opportunity?

I previously acted in “Jayamma Panchayathi,” “Subham,” and “My Dear Donga.” Through some acquaintances, I came to know that there was a role with negative shades in this film. Since it was a Singeetam garu project, I was ready to take up any role. I attended an audition and got selected about a month later.

This is a genre that has never been attempted before. The entire film unfolds in a musical format. Every actor had to be capable of singing, or at least carry a tune. We underwent several workshops to prepare for the film.

Is the story fictional?

Yes. The story is set in a fictional village called Kuberapuram. Why everyone in the village communicates through songs and what happens there are things audiences will discover in theaters.

This is a completely original concept with no cinematic references. Our only references were the visions of Singeetam garu and Nag Ashwin garu. It is the first musical comedy of its kind in Indian cinema and offers a unique cinematic experience, much like Singeetam garu’s earlier films.

Tell us about your character...

Shalini: In Singeetam garu’s films, every character has importance. I play a villainous character that is equally powerful. She is someone who is determined to achieve whatever she wants and believes her opinions are always right.

The role has several layers and shades, making it highly entertaining. Along with the hero and heroine, my role adds a lot of entertainment. Such opportunities don’t come very often.

What was the most challenging aspect of the project?

Many actors can sing songs, but in this film, even the dialogues had to be delivered as songs. That was the biggest challenge. Usually, there is a difference between a person’s singing voice and speaking voice. Here, the spoken dialogue seamlessly transforms into music. It was extremely difficult to perform. Devi Sri Prasad garu’s music played a huge role in making it work. He brilliantly converted dialogues into musical compositions, which became a major strength of the film.

Personally, I learned a lot from this project. It is a film made completely in Singeetam garu’s style, and even as an audience member, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

What are your upcoming projects?

I am always looking for good stories and meaningful roles. If the right opportunities come my way, I would love to do a film every month.

I had earlier written the script for “My Dear Donga.” My next project will be my directorial debut. I am currently writing the story myself, and since I understand the material closely, I felt it would be best to direct it on my own. It will be a comedy film.