Pragya Jaiswal: Balayya sir is my lucky charm!

Pragya Jaiswal starred alongside Nandamuri Balakrishna in the blockbuster film “Akhanda.” In “Daaku Maharaaj,” she starred opposite Balakrishna, but this time as a deglam avatar. In a media interview, Pragya discussed the film and what she learned from Balakrishna after working with him on two films. Read the excerpts…

This is your second time collaborating with Nandamuri Balakrishna…

Balakrishna sir is my lucky charm. I got the chance to act alongside him in a series of flicks. “Daaku Maharaaj” is distinct from “Akhanda.” Director Bobby expertly constructed it and presented it in an entirely new universe. I play Kaveri, a distinctive character.

What have you learned from him?

The most important lesson I received from Balakrishna Sir is discipline. He gets up as early as 3:30 a.m., follows his routines, works out, and always arrives on set ahead of schedule. He is humble and really dedicated.

While he transforms into a superhero on film, in real life, he exudes positivity and plays like a child. He is enthusiastic, loquacious, and effervescent, constantly delivering jokes or telling stories about his father’s films.

Was the role of Kaveri tough for you?

I portrayed Kaveri, a character with a lot of acting potential. Unlike my previous films, this is a de-glam character. This role was tough for me as an actress.

Even at the location, we encountered significant challenges. The high heat and dust in Rajasthan, along with the use of propeller fans, presented an incredibly challenging shooting environment. I felt unwell on the second day, but Bobby Sir and producer Naga Vamsi made sure I could focus on my performance despite the difficult circumstances and made enough arrangements for actors to feel safe.

Daaku Maharaaj is being released on your birthday (Jan 12). Are you excited about it?

Yes, I feel myself very fortunate. This is the greatest fortunate coincidence. 

What is your dream role?

I want to play significant characters in films directed by S.S. Rajamouli and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I also want to be part of female-oriented films.