Nandamuri Kalyan Ram's emotional blockbuster, "Arjun S/O Vaijayanthi," features Lady Superstar Vijayashanthi in a powerful role. Directed by Pradeep Chilukuri and produced by Ashok Vardhan Muppa and Sunil Balusu under the Ashoka Creations and NTR Arts banners, the film was released worldwide on April 18th and has garnered a blockbuster response from audiences. Vijayashanthi shared her thoughts about the film's success in a press conference.
How are you enjoying the success of "Arjun S/O Vaijayanthi"?
"Greetings to everyone. On behalf of our film team, I thank all the people. I have the satisfaction of doing a good film in my life. After a long break, I played a powerful role as a cop and a mother. The audience's desire to see Ramulamma and Vijayashanthi in such roles has been fulfilled with this film. Action was a challenge for me, but I did it. Everyone is appreciating my action performance. Everyone performed their roles wonderfully, which is why the film received such a great response. This film strongly portrays the bond between parents and sons and the respect they should give each other. The director handled this story perfectly. I have a 100% satisfaction of doing a good film. Many women called and said the film was amazing and the mother-son emotion was captivating, which made me very happy. I heard some couldn't watch it due to exams, but they are planning to go from tomorrow. I believe the audience's response will be even more amazing from tomorrow."
There was a mother-son emotion between you and Kalyan Ram off-screen as well?
"Kalyan Babu is a very good person. We developed a good bond during the film, which is rare. He has a lot of affection for me. I don't know if he was my child in a previous life. Everything fell into place wonderfully for this film."
Many people are making re-entries, but how does it feel that characters are being written specifically for you?
"From the beginning, my track has been different. I have done many diverse films like 'Pratighatana,' 'Neti Bharatam,' 'Karthavyam,' 'Osey Ramulamma,' 'Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam,' and many more. I was able to do so many different roles, which I consider a God's gift. When this film's story was written, the director designed my character with me in mind. People are also strongly fixed that I am good for police roles. The director shaped the character in that way. The audience has supported and blessed us greatly all these years. From the beginning of my career, I have cultivated a dedication and discipline in my work. I have constantly tried to give something new. People blessed me and placed me on a throne. The tag 'Lady Superstar' came from the people after 'Pratighatana.' They also called me 'Lady Jackie Chan.' All this is the love of the people."
The mud action sequence in the introduction received a great applause. How did you feel when you heard about it?
"That sequence was shot in very cold weather. I was shivering from the cold. It was shot at night and was very challenging. I am happy that the sequence received a good applause from the audience. I followed a diet for a year for this film and worked out continuously for the role."
How did you balance glamorous and action roles back then?
"I don't know. I did full glamorous roles with heroes like Chiranjeevi Garu, Balakrishna Garu, Krishna Garu, Shobhan Babu Garu, and many others. I also worked with heroes like Chandra Mohan. I have worked with almost 60 heroes. I did a lot of experiments. Every film of mine has a variation. There is no similarity between them. I consider it all luck. God wrote it that way for me."
What point attracted you when the director narrated the story?
"The mother-son emotion, the action, and the fact that the audience wasn't fully satisfied with my previous film. They wanted something more. I felt that an action film would satisfy fans and the audience. That's how this film happened. Director Pradeep directed this film wonderfully."
How did you feel when you heard the climax?
"I was shocked. It felt very new. I was hearing about the hero doing something like that for the first time. I wondered if the fans and audience would accept it. It was truly an experiment, and the audience accepted it."
What about the producers?
"They are very good producers. I never heard them say 'no' to anything. They provided everything needed for this film and didn't hesitate to spend money."
Fans used to queue up for heroes' films. How does it feel to receive such love, especially when people used to come in bullock carts for your films?
"I consider it a great blessing. People used to come in bullock carts. They used to bathe and cook there. It was a great experience. Even the current generation youth calls me Ramulamma. I was surprised when they called me Ramulamma Akka at meetings. I feel very happy when they say they take inspiration from my daring and dashing nature."
Your comments on critics at the success meet went viral. What was the reason for those comments?
"I reacted to what I have been seeing for some time. We all live on this industry and should be responsible. It's not right to criticize a good film. If you don't like it, you can give suggestions. You can suggest stories. But criticizing a good film is not right. I felt that it was not right, so I spoke like that that day."
There are rumors that you are acting in "Akhanda 2"?
"I don't know. I am hearing it from you. (laughs)"
Do you want to do full-length action roles?
"If I get such a story, I will definitely consider it."
