Anya Singh, the female lead of 'Ninu Veedani Needanu Nene', is upbeat about the response to the multi-genre thriller.  In this interview, the youngster talks about doing the film, working with Sundeep Kishan and director Caarthick Raju, the post-release reception, her future projects and more.

Tell us about your background.

I am from Delhi and I was to a boarding school in Ajmer.  While I was in college, I worked with a wedding planner.  And then I moved to Mumbai.  I have studied graduation in Sociology and Political Science.  I wanted to do Psychology, as it's my favourite.  I couldn't study that because it was in a particularly strict University.  After studying in boarding school, I didn't want to be in such a University again.

The film released on Friday. How has the going been since?

The response has been great.  I, like the others associated with the film, was too tensed on the day of release.  By the evening of Day 1, the film started to get tremendous response from everywhere.  The success of this film is special to me because it has happened in an unknown territory.  I am not from this place and it will take time to just be accepted.

Now that 'NVNN' has picked up at the box-office, they are thronging to the theatres in large numbers.  Theatres are running to packed houses.

How did this film happen to you?  We heard that you had been going through a depressed face in life before 'NVNN' happened.  What is the reason?

I was roped in because director Caarthick Raju and Sundeep Kishan liked my performance in my debut Hindi film.  After I became an actor, I lost my father to cancer.  I was shocked and devastated.  I had to face it, absorb it and be back to normal.

You have done a performance-oriented role in 'NVNN'.  What was the most challenging part of it?

Doing the scary scenes was the easiest.  The lighting, etc helps.  Doing the emotional scenes was a little hard because an actor has to put herself in that space to be able to pull off.  The script of 'NVNN' is unique and, situationally, Dia is emotional, confused and perplexed.  I had to put in some homework for five days before starting the shoot.

Do you call it a thriller or a horror-thriller?

Thriller has always been my favourite genre.  The Hollywood film 'Seven' is one of my most favourite thrillers.  'NVNN' is not an out-and-out horror. There are several other elements.  The concept is very different and it caught my imagination immediately.

How is your experience of being an actor in Tollywood, especially in the context moving with people to promote 'NVNN'?

It has been a great experience walking among people to promote our movie.  I am yet to be recognized by the audience as I am new.  Sundeep is much more senior to me and he has been receiving a rousing reception.  I have to learn the language; for people to even talk to me, I have to understand Telugu.  The people here are extremely loyal to the people they like.

How was it working with Sundeep Kishan and Caarthick Raju?

Sundeep and Caarthick sir made me feel comfortable.  I was put in an environment I had never been into.  The actor-director duo is passionate, talented and committed.  The way Sundeep conducts himself with people is quite pleasing.  And as a producer, too, he is equally good.

What kind of responses are you reading about yourself on social media?

People are telling me that I am a natural in 'NVNN'.  Most of them are happy but some of them have also given me negative comments.  That's OK.

What about your upcoming movies?  Are you open to doing films in different languages?

I have been approached by some producers.  Nothing has been finalized as yet, so let me not talk about them.  I will be doing a Tamil film.  I have a three-film contact with a production company.  I am open to all languages. With Amazon, Netflix, etc, Telugu films, for example, are being watched everywhere in India.  Everything is so accessible nowadays.  Subtitles help a great deal.  Half the Hindi-language channels on TATA Sky telecast dubbed south Indian movies.