Yesteryear star actress Archana may have not been seen in Telugu films for decades, but old-timers are fond of her. Her realistic performances in a range of movies and genres were feted and much-loved. The National Award-winning actress has done multiple movies in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi, besides doing art films, since the 1980s.

'Chor Bazaar', the June 24th release, is her comeback movie. She will be seen in an atypical role in this Akash Puri-Gehna Sippy starrer. It was director Jeevan Reddy's conviction, writing and execution skills that drove her to choose this movie as her comeback outing.

Highlights:

The contribution of journalists and cinema industry was great during the pandemic. I am happy to be interacting with scribers today ahead of the theatrical release of my comeback movie.

I have stepped out of my comfort zone to do this role. Such a character wouldn't look good in a movie that is not as colourful and entertaining. My 'Chor Bazaar' role is slice of life if you know that many women in Tamil Nadu didn't get married because they were smitten by the matinee idol MGR.

There is nothing more exciting than playing such a role. It may not be a full-fledged role but she is a die-hard Amitabh Bachchan fan. I have played roles without putting the make-up on but, in 'Chor Bazaar', I have played a Big B fan who puts on make-up while going to bed in the hope that her favorite actor will appear in her dream. This is a mass film. It's so colourful!

I don't like playing routine mother, sister, or sister-in-law characters. In 'CB', my character has got individuality.

Gehna Sippy, the female dancer, is a Kathak dancer herself. This film should fetch her recognition. Akash Puri is a qualified actor in my opinion. He has got good looks and an expressive face. He is a promising actor. He is going to become a star very soon.

At first, director Jeevan Reddy said that I should look like a 45-year-old woman. After the shoot started, he asked me to look ten years younger. I reluctantly said ok. He later asked me to look even much younger. I didn't know what to say and asked him for time. He finally asked me to shoot for a couple of minutes of footage where I look like a young woman. For those 2.5 minutes, I will look young. It is up to the audience how they receive the segment! I did that part only for the director. I am not fond of such an appearance usually!

Today's directors need to focus more on content so that the quality of films goes up. These days, Telugu films have improved a lot in terms of content. They are better than Tamil movies these days. The new-age directors are thinking creatively. Not every film can be a pan-Indian one. Films are about emotional content, something small films are great at portraying.

Back in those days, I used to do National Film Development Corporation's art films. I could have charged upwards of Rs 3 lakh per film but I would charge only Rs 13,000 or so. Those films have been screened at film festivals to this day. My good films have brought me closer to the spirit of Indian cinema.

I am not as committed as the likes of SP Balasubramaniam garu and Nirmalamma. They wished to be close to art till they died. It takes a lot of willpower to have such a strong desire.

Despite many cinema offers from Tollywood, I haven't been inclined to do them. It has to be very, very interesting even if it is a 2-minute role. If you are casting a senior artist, you have to write something unique.

I don't plan my career moves. I don't wish to work with particular directors. I grab something if it excites me. There was a time when I allotted more days than were demanded of me for art and meaningful movies. Those movies continue to be glorious to this day.

I wanted to play a deaf and dumb character in the past. I also wanted to play a classical dancer. These things haven't happened to me. To this day, the kind of versatile roles that women get to play in Marathi are unmatched. Middle-aged and old-aged female actors there do bold scenes. They are given the kind of scenes that young female actors play.

I don't think too much about anything. The one incident that saddened me in recent times is the demise of SPB garu. With people dying in hordes, I was consumed with a sense of loneliness.

I have been offered title roles by web series makers. I might accept a web series soon but nothing is confirmed as yet. It will be finalized soon. I am in talks for a Telugu movie.