Shivathmika Rajashekar on ‘ENE Repeat’: I never imagined myself in such a massive mainstream film

Shivathmika Rajashekar is promoting ENE Repeat, director Tharun Bhascker’s sequel to Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi, her biggest Telugu release yet. But as a habitual overthinker, she wonders if her hair looked flat or whether her sunglasses were right for her last interview, and about the possible comments on social media.

For someone who has quietly built a career, the attention is a lot to take in. She grew up around the film world, accompanying her parents, Dr. Rajashekar and Jeevitha, to shoots. But neither she nor her sister Shivani waited for offers.

They called production houses and chased auditions. In the three years after her debut, Dorasaani, Shivathmika had no releases and very few chances to work. Today, things are looking up. As she soaks in the praise for the web series Varam (Jio Hotstar) and awaits ENE Repeat, which releases on November 19, Shivathmika doesn’t take anything for granted.

I continue to reach out to makers and audition. Even today, most of my work comes through auditions, roughly a 60-40 split between auditions and direct collaborations. Auditioning has never felt uncomfortable; it is like a job interview.

You have to put yourself out there because there is more supply than demand, especially for female actors. With language barriers dissolving, the talent pool is wider. I am more comfortable now, but cinema demands that you keep evolving.

Absolutely. I don’t alter the commercial dynamics of a film. Hiring me isn’t a market-driven choice; it’s because the makers feel I am apt for the part. I still need to demonstrate that I can pull off a role, and I am grateful for these meaty parts.

After Dorasaani, I felt I did not fit any bracket. I thought I was too young to be glamorous or mainstream, and too critical of my looks. Other actresses my age excelled in commercial roles. I was not confident enough. I was a typical teenager, doing whatever I liked.

Perhaps with Nitham Oru Vaanam (Tamil). Shooting that film made me love myself. It helped me face the camera, feel comfortable and pretty. The team helped me break through internal barriers. I stopped calculating which film would take me where and began trusting the script.

Things took time. I wasn’t signing a film every three months. I took up Aaromaley in Tamil to work with a talented bunch. Then I signed Visa in Telugu and bagged a fun, vibrant part. Varam for Jio Hotstar, and another series coming soon; let me explore OTT without the market stakes.

And then came ENE Repeat. I never imagined myself in such a massive mainstream project. ENE Repeat comes with huge expectations; Tharun could have cast someone more famous, with an instant box-office draw. He was looking for the right fit for the character named Keerthana.

Though we had known each other for three or four years, I was not an automatic choice. I was floored by the script. It is rare for a female character to have such a substantial role in a male buddy comedy. I auditioned for a couple of scenes and left, least expecting to land the role.

Great auditions have not always helped in my case. A month later, Tharun called to say I was on board. I was so afraid of jinxing the opportunity that I barely shared the news with anyone. That’s why I picked Satya. Director Aditya Mandala’s logic was simple: Satya has been in that environment since she was 14 or 15.

It is her reality. She wants to leave the brothel, so she quietly works, sews and sells clothes, and saves for her future. Aditya was clear that there would be no sexualisation of Satya. Outside the brothel, he insisted that I wear oversized clothes.

Satya is so exhausted by her own figure and sexuality that she wants to be invisible when she steps out. Playing a character with such casual dignity in a safe working environment made me feel at ease. A good hair day, every day!

Managing my hair during promotions is a daily struggle (laughs). But genuinely, I would love a superpower that could eliminate all negativity in the world, such as hunger, violence and suffering. I carry the weight of world events, so being able to fix all of that would be the ultimate power.

No one stays motivated during dry spells; I certainly don’t. I can get restless, gain weight and feel miserable. It is tough to wake up without a routine or purpose. People advise me to use that time to stay fit. It is crucial to reach out, audition and maintain your self-esteem, so that when a production house calls to say that shooting starts tomorrow, you are ready.

I have been fortunate to work with sensible directors such as Tharun Bhascker, Aditya Mandala, Sarang (Aaromaley), Ra. Karthik (Nitham Oru Vaanam) and Udbhav (Visa). I have had the freedom to discuss lines, character choices and costumes.

The conversation is improving. Audiences reject half-baked, poorly written or objectified female characters. My only reservation is when critics from other industries use one or two films to generalise and talk about all of South Indian or Telugu cinema.

It is unfair to those striving to create respectful cinema. But the scrutiny keeps everyone on guard and pushes the industry to do better.