Kajal Aggarwal has been at the center of a whirlwind of interviews and promotional activities for her forthcoming Telugu film, Satyabhama, over the last few weeks. In a cozy apartment near HITEC City, Hyderabad, doubling as her workspace, the actress sits comfortably on the sofa after completing a photoshoot, removing her chunky earrings as our conversation begins.
Satyabhama, directed by Suman Chikkala and penned by writer-director Sashi Kiran Tikka of Goodachari renown, marks Kajal’s 60th film and is scheduled to hit the screens on June 7. The movie’s promotional campaign prominently highlights #Kajal60, bestowing upon her the title ‘Queen of the masses.’ “This tag originated from my fans, and the filmmakers adopted it; it wasn’t a promotional gimmick initiated by my team. I feel grateful and consider myself blessed to receive such unwavering loyalty, support, and encouragement over my 17-year career,” Kajal shares, describing Satyabhama as a ‘massy’ film. “My character, ACP Satyabhama, operates within a commercial framework but remains distinct and unconventional.”
In Satyabhama, Kajal takes on the role of a police officer, a role she has longed to portray, but she is quick to clarify that Satyabhama is not a female counterpart to Singham. While she performs extensive action sequences, the narrative also delves into the emotional depths of a female cop’s vulnerability. “Satyabhama is a fierce character who uses her authority to aid the oppressed, yet the story also exposes how she is emotionally impacted by her surroundings. It was a challenging role both emotionally and physically,” she explains.
These challenges were amplified by Kajal’s return to action sequences post-maternity break, having completed various commitments, including director Shankar’s Indian 2 led by Kamal Haasan. Her breakthrough moment came when she engaged deeply with the narration of Satyabhama, leading to intensive discussions with the writers (Suman Chikkala, Sashi Kiran Tikka, and Prashanth Reddy) about her character’s backstory. “The writers presented several hypothetical scenarios that helped me grasp how my character would react. The screenplay largely relies on the audience’s intelligence and does not over-explain. We had detailed workshops, and I made extensive notes on my script copy,” she recounts.
One of the film’s most taxing sequences, according to Kajal, was the climax, which necessitated a concentrated 10-day rehearsal. “In a crucial moment, Satyabhama encounters her nemesis and must decide whether to subdue them or allow them a chance for self-realization and reformation. This decision is pivotal to her character’s definition,” she elaborates.
Regarding performance, Kajal distinguishes between rehearsed and spontaneous takes. “Sometimes rehearsals pave the way; other times, I go blank and opt for spontaneity since I grasp the context and story. Often, these spontaneous shots are more impactful than the rehearsed ones,” she remarks.
The action segments demanded Kajal to deliver high-intensity punches, a task she embraced due to her consistent fitness regime over the years.
. Since 2018, she has trained in various disciplines such as Kalaripayattu for Indian 2, Krav Maga for a shelved Telugu project post-pregnancy, and mixed martial arts.
Returning to her fitness regimen after childbirth was a daunting journey. “Two weeks post-delivery, I started yoga. Previously, I could easily do 108 Surya namaskars, but after childbirth, I struggled with even five. I used to lift heavy weights with ease, but post-delivery, even bodyweight exercises were tough. Initially, I was at my mom’s place; she thought I was crazy to resume exercise so soon. I sought the dopamine rush from working out. It wasn’t about any film at that point. My husband, trainer, and friends advised me to take it slow. I learned to manage expectations and gradually build my stamina. Muscle memory eventually kicked in,” she recalls. Several weeks on, she was mastering horse riding for Indian 2.
Post-maternity, returning to the camera also meant battling maternal guilt about time spent away from her son. Nevertheless, Kajal confesses she missed her acting career and now carefully selects her projects due to time constraints.
As the conversation concludes, Kajal reflects on the pressures of delivering a box office hit, especially post-pandemic when Telugu cinema shows hesitancy in spotlighting female-centric theatrical releases. “I would love to say there’s no pressure, but there is. I have butterflies in my stomach. The excitement and nervousness are palpable. The entire team has put in immense effort, and a successful run would mean the world to all of us,” she admits.
Looking ahead, Kajal has Indian 2 and several unannounced projects in the pipeline. With the aspiration of featuring in a mythological drama, she concludes on an ambitious note: “One of my upcoming films has a minor mythological element, but I hope to star in a comprehensive mythological drama someday. I am a greedy actor.”
The Hindu MetroPlus / The Hindu Cinema Plus / Telugu cinema
