Niharika Konidela awaits the release of 'Happy Wedding' on July 28. In this interview, the Mega Princess talks about the film, what is her criterion when she is okaying a project, her marriage plans, role in 'Sye Raa' and more.

You and your colleagues have been on a tour of some districts ahead of the release of 'Happy Wedding'. How has the response been?

It has been great. With post-release tours, one gets to know the audience's response to a film. With pre-release tours, one gets the opportunity to tell the audience what we have done. Since we visited girl colleges more, I could convey the film's female-centric aspect easily to the crowds.

Since you come from a family of the great dancer Chiranjeevi, did you always learn dancing to excel in films?

There was a time when I wanted to learn Classical dance. But since the trainees are given beatings on their legs during training, I fell ill every time I took beatings. I gave up learning Classical dance altogether. I have always learned whatever dancing I know by observing Chiranjeevi garu's dances. I have never learned dancing from anyone in specific. In the films that I have done so far, I never got to dance much.

What can we expect from 'Happy Wedding'?

I had for long wanted to do a casual film. 'HW' is such a film. There are so many characters in the movie but they all have importance. I have done a nice character. I got to speak the right dialogues. I have played a simple girl named Akshara. She is a fashion designer. She has no big dreams. There are no villains in the story. My character is the source of both problems and solutions.

How was it working with Sumanth Ashwin?

As an actor, he was very supportive. But he is calm-going and doesn't talk much. He lives in his own world. He comes across as a very active and talkative guy in films. But that is not how he is in real life.

Why are you doing films opposite small heroes and not star names?

I am not looking at a 10-15 year career. I want to be in films for a very less time. I will get married in another 4 years and be done with films altogether! That's why I am not particular about acting opposite this or that hero. In future, when I watch my films, I should love the characters I have essayed. I choose films which have a strong female character. My character shouldn't be limited to just glamour. It's not like I don't want to work with star heroes. It's just that I have never got the opportunity. If and when I get an opportunity, I will definitely act.

So, are you going to quit the film industry?

I will very much be there but in the production department. I will also be doing web series stuff. As now, I don't have any plans to turn a producer. Let my Pink Elephant Pictures make a mark in the digital world.

You have done a Tamil film opposite Gautham Karthik and Vijay Sethupathy. Do you know Tamil?

The year I was born, the Telugu film industry shifted to Hyderabad. Except me, everybody in my family speaks very good Tamil. When I was a kid, my family members would at times speak in Tamil so that I don't understand their language. I would get angry at them! (Smiles). With a vengeance, I watched Tamil movies and learned the language over a period of time. But when I did my first Tamil movie, I realized that knowing Tamil is different from being able to speak the language.

Since your upcoming film is about love and marriage, what's your opinion on marriage?

I respect the institution of marriage a lot. Many people I know are leading successful married lives. I too will marry one day. As of now, though, my focus is on my acting career. I will be doing a film with Pranith, the director of one of my web series features. This film will be shot in Rajasthan in near future. We recently completed a long schedule. I am also doing a film opposite Rahul Vijay. It's 50 percent done.

The media and the industry call you a Mega Princess. How do you see it?

While I feel happy about that, I also am conscious that the moniker increases expectations from me. So, it also gives me jitters at times.

How do you react to gossips?

Even before I entered the film industry, Chiranjeevi garu told me that even a small mistake by me would be looked through magnifying glasses. He also told me that they will write imagined stories about me even if I am normal. I am maintaining only an Instagram account. I realized that social media was wasting my time. Becuase of this, I had stopped using my phone altogether. At times, my mother feels would feel tensed whenever I went out. So, I started using a phone again.

Do you receive pieces of advice from your brother Varun Tej?

Generally, nobody tells me to do this, do that. If I like a story and convey it to my brother, he tells me to go ahead. As a hero, my brother has a different perspective. I can't always have him listen to every story that I am narrated.

What's your role in 'Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy'?

It has been my dream to be seen in a film featuring Peda Nanna at least in a single frame. That's why I approached Annayya (Ram Charan). I begged him for a role in the movie. He told me he doesn't have the prerogative to rope me in and left the ball in the director's court. That's when Surender Reddy garu entered the room. He asked me if I am fine with a role even if there is no single dialogue. I said that I am fine with it.