Mumbai, February 5: Working in pan-India films is both exciting and challenging. Actress Sai Manjrekar is currently busy with her upcoming period drama, ‘The India House.’ This film is being shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu. Sai emphasizes that actors must be emotionally and mentally prepared at all times for such projects.
Sai Manjrekar stated, “’The India House’ has been a unique experience for me. When a single scene is shot in two languages, the actor must grasp the rhythm, emotions, and depth of each language carefully. Often, a scene is performed first in one language and then immediately in another, requiring the actor to stay alert at all times.”
She added, “The approach to acting in such films also changes slightly. Here, the story is conveyed not just through words but also through emotions. Each language carries its own sensitivity, which alters the character’s emotions accordingly. This means that an actor must constantly adapt their performance to ensure the character feels authentic in both languages.”
Sai mentioned that her experience from her previous film, ‘Major,’ has been beneficial for this project. It helped her understand the nuances of shooting bilingual films and what actors need to focus on. However, she noted that every project has its own identity and challenges. The story and historical context of ‘The India House’ set it apart from other films.
In ‘The India House,’ Sai portrays a character named Sati. She explained, “To play Sati, I had to deeply understand the atmosphere, mindset, and emotions of that time. Sati appears calm on the outside, but she harbors courage, pain, and struggle within. Conveying these emotions to the audience without excessive dialogue is a significant responsibility for me.”
Highlighting the essence of pan-India films, Sai remarked, “The best aspect of working on such projects is the teamwork. Artists and technicians from different states and languages collaborate on set. Everyone’s goal is to portray the story authentically on screen. This collective spirit motivates the actors to deliver even better performances.”
Sai praised her co-star Nikhil Siddharth, director Vamshi, and the entire team. She noted, “The atmosphere on set is incredibly positive and story-focused. When the director and the whole team are serious about the narrative, it allows the actors to delve deeper into their characters.”
