Lakshmi Manchu In a tete-e-tete with indiaglitz.com, Lakshmi Manchu talks about her forthcoming release Dongata, daughter Vidya Nirvana and Manchu Manoj`s marriage.

What was the learning curve as a producer after your earlier productions?

My dad, who produced more than 50 films, says that filmmaking is process of continuous learning and I believe in it. So the take back for me in this film (as a producer) was controlling budget. For my earlier films, I just focused on getting in money for scenes rather than worrying how the scene would turn out. But for this film, I`m kept a tab on the budget and pumped in money only if it was really necessary.

Was it a conscious attempt to produce a budget film like Dongata?

Dongata was not on the same scale of my earlier productions Oo Kodathara Ulikki Padathara and Gundello Godari, but comparatively, yes, it was a conscious decision to produce a small film. I thought Gundello Godari will do well in Tamil but it back fired, so I had to play my game well. As an actor, I need to think from my heart and as a producer I need to think from my mind to work out the economics. So I`m trying to strike that balance between creativity and budget.

What drove you to get into this project?

I`ve been getting heavy, serious and substantiate roles but I love doing comic roles. I always being in doing different roles and crime-comedy genre is something I have not attempted earlier and I gave it a shot.

Did you learn anything for the film?

I think the team has helped me a lot on the sets in getting my comic timing right. I`ve been rehearsing constantly and my team has helped me a lot in getting the best out of me. I always believe in taking my acting skills to the next level in every role I play and get recognition as good actor.

Your role in the film

I play an actress in the film and for the first time, I`m playing a full length glamorous role. As a producer too, I`m excited with the product and it`s been quite an interesting journey for me. You are into TV, acting, producing and off-course a doting mother.

So how did you learn to multitask?

To be honest, I really don`t know, and I`m afraid if you remind me that I`m doing so many things at a time. I just focus on my work. In fact, I have a TV show shooting lined up for today and my dad don`t know (laughs) because he`ll come back at me saying why did you take up assignments before Manoj`s marriage. I`m really tensed about it because I have to escort a guest to the show (quips).

Do you take your daughter to the sets?

Yes, I do take her if the shooting is indoors; I ensure that the floor is cleaned since I know my daughter comes here. But if I shoot outdoors I don`t take her. My mom keeps asking me “Don`t you have outdoor shooting today”?, so that she can play with my daughter.

Are you able to give enough time for your daughter?

Absolutely! I`m passionate about films and I can cater time to all the things and my daughter is the most important thing. I make her sleep by 8: pm and I wake up 5:30 am in the morning for her (even when there`s no shoot) so that I have enough time to finish work in-between. So it`s all about time management. So she wakes up in the morning with a smile (quips) and at time, she wakes me up

How do you spend time with your daughter?

I take her out regularly. I take her to gym, KBR Park and I feed her with road-side ice-creams, although my doctor is unhappy with that. When I go to the US, I see my friends being allergic to certain types of foods and hence they are choosy. But here, we all eat anything because I think our immune system is much stronger so I want to raise my daughter like a rough Indian girl.

How did you get the opportunity to sing for the first time?

Raghu Kunche earlier asked me to croon a number but it did not materialize. There`s a situation in the film where I get drunk and then I had to sing. So after the lyrics have been penned, everyone in the unit thought that it would be apt if I sing the number. The lyrics also inspired me to sing and then I thought why not? I know I`m loved by a lot of people and I thank them for their love and affection and appreciating my singing skills.

There are 9 heroes in a song. Who`s thought was it to have them?

Since I play an actress in the film, I just want to make my role look more real. I presume if I can have star heroes in my film, people will believe it. This move is definitely inspired by Om Shanti Om, but no actress has grooved with 9 heroes (quips). I just told them that I want them to be part of a song, which will be part of the film and not just a promotional song.

How occupied are you with Manoj`s marriage preparations

I think managing logistics for Manoj`s wedding is a bigger task than my film (laughs). Dad is very particular when it comes to hospitality and he`s been keeping us on our toes. It is definitely an emotional moment since it`s the last marriage from our generation. Manoj is a big prankster but I hope he`ll take up the responsibility of marriage and enjoys the new journey.

Any surprises for Sangeet function

It`s going to be a fun-filled Sangeet. The marriage, especially the Pellikoduku` function will be even more fun. There`ll be kolatam` and a lot of songs being played and the marriage will be a pucca South Indian Hindu wedding.

Dongaata Trailers