Sandalwood star Harshika Poonacha is all set to make her debut in Malayalam cinema.

Like the historic Charminar, which is a symbol of monumental beauty, this Coorg beauty has encountered something special with another kind of Charminar!

After making a mark in Kannada, Telugu and Tamil, Harshika Poonacha has now bagged a beautiful ticket to Mollywood. In her debut movie in Malayalam titled Charminar, she plays a Mallu girl based in Bengaluru. The actress who is fluent in all South Indian languages including Kodava, Tulu and Konkani, talks all about her new exciting journey, and much more.

“Even as my debut Tamil movie Un Kadhal Yerrindhal is yet to release, I have taken up a very special project in Malayalam. I could not have asked for more especially when I was told that the team had auditioned at least 1,500 girls for the role. It may sound exaggerated but the team was very particular about the girl’s character who had to look good in both Indian and as well hold herself well as a Western super model. Some matched perfectly for the model’s part and others for Indian girl’s character, and hence the search continued.

Finally, when someone referred my name along with my portfolio, I fit both the roles, as a pakka desi, geeky looking girl and a model, so they approached me,” says Harshika Poonacha.

Her debut Malayalam movie is being directed by Ajith C Logesh, and has two male actors in the lead — Ashwin Kumar and Hemanth Menon. While her latest Kannada movie Upendra Matte Baa, starring alongside Real Star Upendra sees her play a special cameo appearance, it also includes a ‘real’ foot tapping number releasing this week, she has signed another in Kannada titled Chitte.

Back to her Mollywood debut, the actress reveals that it has a special connection with namma Kannada. “As I play a Mallu girl in Bengaluru, I get to speak Kannada in some parts of Charminar. This is something I improvised and convinced my director that I would speak in Kannada whenever I am happy and excited. As I said, I have two shades to my character, the transformation from an ordinary typical Indian girl to super model is the best part.”

With regard to her multi-lingual skills, she adds that living in Bengaluru has helped her learn all the south Indian languages. “Language has never been a problem and I feel it is a ‘power’ to me. I can speak Kannada, Kodava, Konkani, Tuli, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and English fluently. Nobody reads me my lines, I understand the emotions behind it and deliver,” she adds.

Before flying away like a Chitte, she shares her Bollywood dreams: “When I had been for my photoshoot, I did come across several offers to work including a project of Madhur Bhandarkar, and another one starring Sanjay Dutt. I was almost starting shooting for one them but they asked me to shift my base to Mumbai. I was in a confused state of mind with commitments down South and my prime intention was to make a name for myself in Kannada first, thus it kept me from it.

Moreover, I could not leave my parents. I, sometimes regret it but I am hopeful about it, and also glad that I am heading in the right direction,” she signs off.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Entertainment> Sandalwood / by ShashiPrasad SM, Deccan Chronicle / November 17th, 2017

Earliest memories of television: That would be of my father renting out a VCR and video cassettes from a neighbouring library and us watching at least one film a week. We had a small black & white TV set at home. Some time in the mid 90s, we bought a colour TV. The brand that we had bought was popular for its tag line “Neighbour’s envy, Owner’s pride.” It was such a big deal when we bought that TV because it was huge and a colour TV above all. It had fancy buttons and our entire street was in awe when we first got it home.

All-time favourite TV serials: Shakthimaan stands out in my memory even today. Then I remember waiting for the weekend to watch the Donald Duck series. When cable TV came in, it was Kadambari, because my mother used to watch it all the time. I was still a kid but Shwetha Chengappa who played a major part in it was my first crush among TV personalities. I loved watching Ripleys Believe It Or Not and also World’s Funniest Animals.

Advice to newbies entering television: Whether it’s TV or cinema, I’d say, patience is the key. And always remember that you can’t become a superstar overnight. Work hard and also remember to respect your profession.

source:http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> TV> News> Kannada / by Madhu Daithota / TNN / November 13th, 2017

While it has been two years since actress Nazriya decided to take a break from Mollywood post marriage, her fans still hold on to her every delightful gesture and effortless acting.

While they are eagerly awaiting her comeback, Varsha Bollamma, who shot to fame with her dubsmash videos based on the actress’ films, is marking her M-town debut. Interestingly, she is also a dead ringer for Nazriya.

“People asking me if I am Nazriya has become part and parcel of my life. Wherever I go, I hear people whispering if I am her and I laugh inside my mind,” says Varsha, adding that the similarities end with the look. “I am a different person and I am sure people will figure that out after a five-minute conversation.”

Varsha will make her debut in Mollywood with Rajesh Nair’s Kalyanam which also stars Mukesh and Saritha’s son Shravan. “I play a girl next door named Shari. It was great working here. The people here are very talented and humble,” she says.

On working with Shravan, Varsha says, “We had to improvise and came up with impromptu dialogues on the sets. It was an interesting experience. Shravan has imbibed the talents of his parents as is evident from his remarkable performance in the film.”

While it’s her first Malayalam film, she started her film career in Tamil two years ago. “My first movie was Sathuran and I did the viral dubsmash movies after shooting for it. Though a few of my friends used to tell me that I resemble Nazriya, I didn’t know how popular the videos would go on to be,” she explains.

In Kollywood, the actress has worked in movies such as Vetrivel and Yanum Theyavan, and is currently part of Vijay Sethupathi’s 96. “He plays a photographer in the film and I his student. Vijay sir doesn’t merely act but rater lives his characters. He’s also one of the sweetest people I have come across. He respects everyone and has a grounded persona,” she says.

Varsha, meanwhile, has signed another Malayalam film titled Mandaram, which has Asif Ali as the protagonist. “It is a romcom and I play a fashion designer,” she says.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> Entertainment> Malayalam> Movies> News / by Anjana George / October 09th, 2017

In the two tasks conducted in the house, Thangaliyalli Theeli Ninthe and in concentration and memory power task, Ashitha Chandrappa, was declared as the winner unanimously by the inmates of the house.

She will get the special box for winning the task which will be opened only after Bigg Boss orders.

Though, Jagan secured number one place in Thangaliyalli Theeli Ninthe task, Ashitha was declared as the winner as she got the third place in holding onto the rope and she got the first place in memory power task where a set of dancers performed in the house and later there was a quiz.

Both Jagan and Ashitha now are not allowed to take part in luxury budget task for the rest of the week.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> TV> News> Kannada / TNN / November 01st, 2017