Urvashi is back to shooting in Hyd

Miss Universe–India Urvashi Rautela talks of her love for Hyderabad and about adjusting to the new normal

Urvashi Rautela is all kicked about Black Rose, her femalecentric debut film in Telugu, for which she has already commenced shooting in Hyderabad. Recalling her love for Hyderabad, she tells us how she’s been to Hyderabad a couple of times on work and couldn’t resist the temptation of being back in the city to shoot here. “It’s been a great city and I always loved shooting in this neck of the woods,” says Urvashi, who had also shot for her Bollywood film Pagalpanti, with John Abraham.

I am planning to visit Charminar in the next two days, and also high on my immediate agenda are savouring authentic Hyderabadi biryani and shopping for bangles

— Urvashi Rautela

“I was also here for an award ceremony. But, unfortunately, on both occasions, I did not get time to explore the city though I instantly fell in love with the culture of the City of Dreams.” This time, however, Urvashi hopes to explore the monuments and historical locations in the city. “I am planning to visit Charminar in the next two days, and also high on my immediate agenda are savouring authentic Hyderabadi biryani and shopping for bangles,” adds the model-turned-actress.

TAKING ON THE NEW NORMAL IS TRICKY

Given how she’s missed being in front of the camera for almost five months, Urvashi confesses how she couldn’t resist the temptation of commencing her shoot for the film. However, she simultaneously acknowledges that with the scare of the COVID19, shooting for the Mohan Bharadwaja directorial while adjusting to the new normal has been slightly tricky. “While on one hand I am excited to shoot for a different character, on the other, I am a bit apprehensive too,” Urvashi points out, adding, “But, of course, producer Chitturi Srinivas garu has ensured that the unit gets tested before the shooting commences. We have also been sanitising the entire floor, wearing shield masks and maintaining social distances and taking all the necessary precautions.”

LAYERS TO PLAY

The script and narration of

Black Rose was what hooked the Haridwar-born actress, she tells us. “I could instantly connect to the script. My character, Vasudha, has several shades and layers. In fact, Sampath Nandi, the film’s writer, even told me that he had penned the story keeping me in mind,” adds Urvashi. “I am also excited because the film is bilingual, to be made in Telugu and Hindi, and that means my Bollywood audience would also get to see me in this interesting role.”

My role, Vasudha, in the film Black Rose, is inspired by Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice and the famed series called Houses of Cards. I always wanted to do a Telugu film. But I never thought I’d be offered a project, for which I would start shooting during a pandemic