It’s late into the night and just a few minutes before this conversation started did Nidhhi Agerwal wrap up her final patchwork for Hari Hara Veera Mallu (HHVM), a Telugu epic action drama, which has been in the making for years now. Nidhhi has been with the project for nearly five years, which features actor-politician Pawan Kalyan in the lead role.

“I just finished the patchwork, and my portions have been wrapped up. This film has been a long but beautiful journey because we have travelled with this project for quiet some time. Kudos to the producers who took the entire burden on his shoulders of holding the film and not letting anything go wrong,” says Nidhhi who stressed on the fact that period films are little more tedious to shoot and naturally takes more time.

Hari Hara Veera Mallu actor Nidhhi Agerwal Interview:

Hari Hara Veera Mallu is a period actioner, set in the 17thcentury of Mughal era, and about an outlaw. Nidhhi says that both hers and Pawan Kalyan’s characters are fictional. “Only Aurangazeb’s character truly existed, but the world around it is fictional.”

The Eeswaran actor agrees that it was a field day for her as an artiste. “Who wouldn’t want to play kings and queens in period films. This is the biggest film I have done so far and also the best written role I have gotten to perform. I am grateful to have gotten to essay Panchami, who has a lot to do in the film, takes forward the story, and different shades within her. She isn’t cliched role, and very sassy.”

As someone who has been trained in dance forms like ballet and Kathak, Nidhhi credits her skill which made her an actor today. In fact, her first film Munna Michael was also a dance film. But with HHVM, Nidhhi says she had to learn Bharatnatyam and horse-riding. “Knowing how to drive a car isn’t an option here. I got trained with this horse called Arthi, which was very sweet. We are good friends now.”

When asked about her involvement in films that are primarily driven by star power, such as HHVM featuring Pawan Kalyan and her upcoming project Raja Saab with Prabhas, Nidhhi expressed, “I believe that even those with minor roles in both large and small films can leave a lasting impression if they portray a well-crafted character. It may seem as though I am only selecting major films, but I find that I am being offered more of these opportunities than others. However, I have also received offers for more women-centric films in Tamil, which I declined because I was not satisfied with the scripts presented to me. I do not wish to participate in women-oriented films merely for the sake of it; the narrative must be genuinely compelling. I prioritize the overall story and character development, gravitating towards films like Ranbir Kapoor’s Rockstar and those directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.”

For Nidhhi, who identifies as a director’s actor, the choice of filmmaker is crucial. “Everyone perceives the world in their own unique way, and the vision of the director I wish to collaborate with is a significant factor. Following that, my character within the narrative becomes important. I committed to HHVM immediately after iSmart Shankar, and for Raja Saab, I was drawn to my character.”

‘Everyone stands the test of time, and not about being popular for some time’

Having comingReflecting on her journey from an era devoid of social media to the present, where such platforms significantly influence an actor's career, Nidhhi expresses her belief that social media can be easily manipulated. She emphasizes, “It’s not about fleeting popularity; it’s about enduring success and maintaining a long-lasting career.”

The film Hari Hara Veera Mallu, set to premiere on May 9, has experienced multiple delays. Nidhhi acknowledges the resilience required to remain committed to the project, stating, “There have been times when everyone around me questioned my choices. However, I have always held onto the belief that there is a concept of divine timing. The right things occur at the right moments, and I have no regrets about the decisions I’ve made.”

Nidhhi has also commenced filming for Raja Saab, a horror romantic comedy featuring Prabhas. She shares, “The film includes both horror and comedic elements, and it promises to be a lot of fun! This is the most enjoyable set I have ever been on. Prabhas will be returning in his classic style,” she adds.

Read Also: Ananya Panday’s Cousin Ahaan to Enter Bollywood with YRF’s Saiyaara

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!