Sanjana Krishnamurthy in ‘Lubber Pandu’, supporting Mani Ratnam in ‘Thug Life’ and more

Sanjana Krishnamurthy Photo credit: Special Arrangements

Its heroine is Sanjana Krishnamurthy Lubar PanduA film that has achieved both critical and commercial success, seems to have hit a six with its first swing. After making her screen debut in the popular OTT show the bondSanjana’s transition to the big screen has been impressive. The film’s strong box office performance and positive reviews indicate that his rise may be just beginning.

Sanjana’s acting journey started as a happy accident. She was a Visual Communication student pursuing filmmaking. Sanjana recalls, “I used to work on a YouTube page called Awesome Machi, where I started as a graphic designer. But soon, they asked me to act in some of their videos. I had no formal training at the time, but I enjoyed the experience..” He never expected it to lead anywhere, but it did.

Her break came when filmmaker-duo Pushkar and Gayatri’s production company, Wallwatcher Films, noticed her YouTube work and invited her to audition for an Amazon Prime Video web series. the bond. “I was still in my third year of college when I got the call,” she says. “I was determined to work with them, even if it meant just being an assistant director. Fortunately, the audition went well, and I got the role.”

In the thick of things

For Sanjana, the film’s journey didn’t start with a sudden “aha” moment. “It wasn’t that I had an epiphany,” he says, “I grew up in the early 2000s with a lot of access to computers and television. I was kind of aware of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making a movie.”

Still, the journey was not without its challenges. Breaking into the world of cinema requires resilience and adaptability. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy,” reflects Sanjana, “but you never really understand until you’re in the industry. No matter how much people warn you, you are never fully prepared for the long hours, intensity or amount of work involved. It is by meeting these challenges that you develop the strength you need to keep going.”

One of the biggest surprises, revealed Sanjana, was the support she received in the industry. “I’ve been fortunate to meet really supportive people. For example, Pushkar sir and Gayatri ma’am were always there to give guidance. That kind of enthusiasm makes a huge difference.”

Challenges and rewards

His experience on the set the bond There was a turning point in his approach to acting. “Before this project, I didn’t have much formal training,” she says. “I attended a month-long workshop that changed my approach to acting. The workshop taught me to prepare thoroughly and think more deeply about character development.”

for the bondActing was more formal,” he explained. “But when I worked Lubar PanduIt was completely different. The director, Thamijarsan Pachamuthu, wanted a more natural and spontaneous acting style. I had to break some habits and be less strict in approaching my lines and responses.”

Sanjana Krishnamurthy in ‘Lubar Pandu’ Photo credit: Special Arrangements

For Sanjana, one of the most rewarding aspects of the project was the detailed preparation that went into portraying the characters. He worked with a friend familiar with the local dialect to ensure his delivery was correct. Subtlety of body language was another challenge.

Dedication pays off. Lubar Pandu It won critical acclaim, and accolades from industry veterans like Vetrimaran, Pa Ranjith and Vijay Sethupathi have been gratifying for him.

With the success of the film, new acting offers are coming. But Sanjana’s filmmaking dream is still very much alive. He assisted Mani Ratnam in his upcoming film, Thug LifeStarring Kamal Haasan. “Working on a set with Mani Ratnam sir and Kamal Haasan sir was incredible,” she says of the experience. “I was fortunate to witness their collaboration and learn from their expertise. Their approach to planning, improving, and publishing performances was truly inspiring. I have always felt that there was a missing piece in my cinematic journey till now. working Thug Life Helped me fill that void.”

with the bond, Lubar PanduAnd thug life, Sanjana seems to have scored a hat trick. “I’m getting a lot of offers, but I don’t want to rush. I want to make sure the story is something I would want to see in a theater and that my character is well written.”