Akhila Bhargavan, a blossoming talent in the Malayalam film industry, is currently enjoying a surge of adulation in the wake of her performance in the widely acclaimed film ‘Premalu’. Akhila expressed the joy of this newfound recognition, “I like the feeling, it is nice to have people say good things about Karthika [her character in Premalu] and the film in general,” during a recent telephonic interview from Kannur. Fans are eager for selfies and conversations, celebrating her portrayal which has touched many hearts.
Unexpectedly for Akhila, ‘Premalu’ has become the talk of the town and the benchmark of success. She acknowledged the assured potential tied to the production, directed by Gireesh AD and backed by the reputable Bhavana Studios, yet the extent of its triumph took her by surprise. “I knew it would do well…what could go wrong? However, I didn’t expect that it would do this well, on this scale,” she reflected.
Before her meteoric rise to fame with ‘Premalu’, Akhila ventured into the film world through humble beginnings on Instagram Reels and subsequently made an impression in other films like ‘Poovan’ and ‘Ayalvaashi’. It is the potent synthesis of her infectious Instagram sketches (ar_reels, a collaborative effort with her husband Rahul PP) and her first short film, ‘Anurag Engineering Works’ (AEW), written by ‘Premalu’ co-writer Anurag Josey, that paved her way to the silver screen. Her role in ‘Poovan’ was a direct result of the short film’s traction, and it was during that time director Vineeth Vasudevan recognized her talent.
Reflecting on her early days in entertainment, Akhila remarks, “When I started making those IG Reels, I was doing it out of a love of acting. Did I think I would get to act in a movie? No, not until Anurag Engineering Works.” Notably, Gireesh was also acquainted with her online persona which ultimately led to her audition for the role of Karthika.
At the age of 26, Akhila recognizes the constraints faced by newcomers in the industry regarding the selection of roles. She is deliberate in her choices, taking into account the significance of the character, the director’s vision, and the credibility of the production house. “The offers are coming, but I am choosing carefully within the space I have,” Akhila shares candidly. With various roles flowing in her direction, she feels fortunate for the success of her films, contributing positively to her budding career.
Despite her growing popularity, Akhila, who holds a post-graduate degree in Microbiology, has no current plans to uproot her life to Kochi, as her husband is located there. For the moment, their life is balanced between her acting commitments and maintaining a stable home environment.
Akhila teases that discussions for potential future projects are underway, though she remains tight-lipped about the details. Fans of her Instagram Reels need not worry; she assures that content creation remains a passion and a practice she intends to uphold. “Yes, of course, I do. I enjoy making and posting them and will continue to do so,” she asserts, her enthusiasm undiminished by her recent successes.
As Akhila Bhargavan rides the wave of fame and the buzz of ‘Premalu’, her name becomes synonymous with talent and promise in the Malayalam film industry. Her journey from viral IG Reels to the big screen is a testament to the changing landscape of the entertainment world, showcasing a digital path to cinematic achievement and illustrating that with passion and exposure, an everyday artist can emerge as a celebrated actor.
