It comes as no surprise that the search for the lead heroine for director Srinivas Raju’s film, Basavanna ended with Telugu actress, Saloni Aswani. Having already worked with Upendra in Dubai Babu and Buddivanta, she was definitely their first choice.Kannada actress, Ragini Dwivedi will also be playing a contrast role.
Director Srinivas Raju confirmed the news saying, “Yes, we finally zeroed in on Saloni who will be joining the crew at Europe on July 10.”
Saloni has also worked in movies like - Lakhsmi and Benki Birugali.
“I share a certain comfort level with Uppi and his guidance will only add more value to the film. Secondly my role is peppy, similar to what I have done in Buddivantha. After having played the lead in the women-oriented film titled Telugu Ammai, I was looking for some bubbly and fun-loving character. So when Uppi himself called to check on my dates and told me about my role, I signed up instantly. Now that we are paired in this movie again, I hope the film clicks like Buddhivanta,” she says.
Ragini too has a major role to play in the film with her character being narrated in two shades. So, is Saloni fine with sharing the screen with another actress?
“As actors, we do enquire about other stars working in the film. I took up the film only after I was satisfied with my role. As I said, I deliberately chose to play the bubbly role. I am paired opposite Uppi and that is what matters at the end of day. Sometimes, you pick up a role for the subject and the team you will be working with,” explains Saloni.
She is happy to be associated with Srinivas who also directed Dandupalya.
“It was the script and Srinivas’s vision that made Dandupalya a hit in Kannada and ran successfully for 50 days in Telugu too,” she says.
Saloni has not signed any other project in South apart from Basavanna and the reason according to her was her mother’s health. “My mother was unwell and I had to be by her side. Now that she is recovering, I have to make up for the lost time,” says Saloni.