Anushka Shetty, who awaits the OTT release of 'Nishabdham' on October 2, has described the film as an interesting thriller wherein she plays a challenging role. In this interview, catch her talk about how the project fell in her lap, working with Madhavan, getting trained in sign language, and more.

After 'Bhaagamathie', there has been much gap in your career. Your fans have been eagerly waiting for your next. Why did the gap happen? Was it planned? How did the journey with 'Nishabdham' start?

After 'Bhaagamathie', I went on a sabbatical deliberately. Sometime in 2018, Kona Venkat garu and Hemanth Madhukar narrated the story of 'Nishabdham' to me and I was bowled over by the script. My character is atypical and I strongly felt that I should go for it. Not only did the story came searching for me, but also I loved it.

You apparently learned the international sign language for playing the role of a mute artiste in the movie. What was the homework like?

Sakshi is both deaf and dumb in the movie. This aspect of the character made me take it up as a challenge. For a couple of months, I got trained in sign language. After reaching America to shoot for the film, I realized that the international sign language is different. I once again got trained in it there from a 14-year-old girl. It was a great learning experience.

The film was supposed to release in theatres on April 2. As destiny would have it, the pandemic has played the demon. And, as a result, 'Nishabdham' has become the first direct-to-OTT release of your career. How do you see it?

Although theatre and OTT are contrasting experiences, it is important for us to see OTT in a positive way. Because of the unique situation we are in, technology-driven options have to be explored to reach out to the audience. We have to go for these changes. Let's welcome the new normal. Although it feels a bit strange that 'Nishabdham' is unexpectedly coming out on OTT, I hope the audience are going to love this change.

This is your first film with Madhavan in 14 years. What was the experience of working with him?

I had worked with Madhavan for the first time in the initial days of my career on a Tamil film, in 2006. It was a wonderful experience working with him after all the years. It helped that both of us have played challenging roles in 'Nishabdham'. Besides our roles, every character in the thriller has got a place in the story. This is not a story that takes place only between two individuals. The screenplay lends importance to a number of other characters. It's a thrilling ride, I must say.

Technical departments, especially background music, play a key role in thrillers. Since you have watched the final copy, what is your take on the BGM?

OTT can't be a match to the sound system of the theatre. The quality of sound is different on streaming sites. But if you go for headphones and a home theatre experience, the user experience improves vastly. As for 'Nishabdham', both music (by Gopi Sunder) and background music (by Girrish Gopalakrishnan) are big assets.

Tell us about the director-producer duo.

Hemanth Madhukar comes with a lot of clarity of vision. He knows what he wants from his actors. It's because of him that the output is so terrific. Kona Film Corporation and People Media Factory have set high standards for themselves. For an experimental film like this, they have spent without compromising anywhere. They are passionate and have a lot of daring.