Ahead of her Telugu release 'Mosagallaku Mosagadu', Nandini, a well-known face in the modeling world, talks about her journey into showbiz, weight-loss program and Thai film.

Tell us about your background.

I'm a Hyderabadi girl – I was born and raised here and I completed my education in Hyderabad.

How did you come into showbiz?

When I was in school, late actress Soundarya dropped in at my school. She was the face for HP Gas commercial back then and the makers are looking for a bubbly face to play Soundarya's daughter in the ad, and they finally selected me. I was thrilled to see her surrounded by several security personnel and that's when I thought let's get into showbiz (smiles). I completed MBA and later ventured into modeling and was part of several commercials including Harley Davidson, Kalyan Jewelers, etc. So that's how my journey started.

What did you pick up from Soundarya after working with her in an ad?

To be honest, I don't remember much but I can tell you it was an amazing experience. She was dedicated and during the breaks, instead of chatting, she was practicing and learning the dialogues and she advised me the same. This happened when I was in 7th standard.

You were part several commercials. Don't u think success has eluded you

To become successful in the industry, not only your looks but luck and time also matters a lot and I think my time has come. I've struggled a lot in life and I used to attend every audition but I believe things are changing for me now

Since you are chubby, how did you get back into shape?

Yea (smiles), I was chubby in my school and college days. I weighed around 96 kgs in college, but I used to tell everyone that I wanted to become an actress and people started laughing at my physique. Then I took it as a challenge and got into strict diet regime. Being a rice lover, I did not have rice for two years, I gave up all the sweets, started working out. So it was difficult for me giving up food, especially Hyderabadi Biriyani (smiles).

Did you put on weight for Mosagallaku Mosagadu?

For Maaya, I was size zero but for this film, I was asked to put on weight because I play a traditional girl. So the makers have asked me to gain weight for the role and started eating again so that I look chubby.

What are your other projects?

I shuffle between Chennai and Hyderabad but now I shifted my base to Chennai. I'm doing a Tamil film Grahanam, produced by PVP banner and I have signed three movies with them. I also have another film with Jayam Ravi. Also, I have a film lined up in Kannada and I'm doing a Thai film Rock. I play an Indian Princess in that film and that'll start in June.

How did bag the Thai film

Although it is a Thai film, it's being produced by an Indian. In fact, they are the ones who are producing my Kannada film now. But they are from Bangkok.

Tell us about your role in Thai film

The Princess will be kept in cage. There aren't too many dialogues but there's a lot of action part. I think they would be put me on a workshop soon and I might start to train in a few things. My costumes, make-up, etc everything will look grand and I'm eagerly waiting to get into such a wardrobe.

What kind of a girl are you?

I'm a tomboyish girl and I talk a lot. I do a lot of painting, etc. My mom always keeps telling me “Dress up like a girl”, but I never use to listen to her. I just to wear whatever I'm comfortable with and I used to talk like a rough boy…so seeing all these friends in school used to call me Tomboy.