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