HYDERABAD: With an amazing and unique name like Heroshini, you can’t be anything but amazing, and unique too. Meet Heroshini Ramadugu Komali, the 18-year-old who loves to cook (a rarity in a teenager) and who hates social media (another rarity). “I am social, but in real life, not online,” says the elder one of the Komali sisters who are famous for mimicking celebrities. Her younger sister Devarshini and she have hosted the show called Navvulata for four years on the Sunday afternoon 4 pm slot for TV9 and the repertoire of voices they can mimic is large. While her baby sis is busy cramming for her Class X boards, Heroshini is keeping herself busy with her movie shoots, TV shows, cooking etc. This pretty girl who values personal relationships more than anything else talks about what she plans to do in future
When did it begin. How?
My dad Vasanth Ramadugu is a magician and ever since my sister Devarshini Komali and I were toddlers, we have seen him perform. So being on stage and entertaining people comes naturally to me. I am a big TV buff and although parents often say watching TV is bad, I must confess that channel surfing made me an expert in mimicing advertisements, anchors, politicians, stars etc. My sister and I used to do impromptu mimics of everyone around – from mom to grandmom to the vegetable vendor. In social gatherings like weddings, our extended family would ask us to imitate people and would enjoy our show. Someone suggested we do this act during breaks of my dad’s magic shows. We started that when we were six and four and today we are full-fledged performers.
What motivates you?
The joy of being able to use my talent motivates me to do more. I get access to so many inspiring people during my stage shows and that is priceless. It is a good and versatile to career to choose. I am hoping that I can blend my mimicry with a bit of stand-up comedy to have my own kind of profession.
What effort does it take to perform on stage?
Actually nothing. In fact, when I try to practice, I find it doctored. I would rather react to the crowd and do what appeals to them than go with a pre-fixed routine. Usually, half hour before the show begins, I get a brief of the kind of audience we are going to perform to and the time limit. Then we just improvise on the stage. We have the perfect sync and we do it well on the go.
Give us a glimpse of your average day. And when you have a show, how does your day look like?
I am a student of Mass Communication at St Mary’s College, Yousufguda. I am back home by late afternoon. About four to five times a month, I shoot for TV shows. On other days, I try and cook. I have learnt about 300 recipes. I know it is surprising for an 18-year-old like me! In fact for one whole year, I gave my mom a cooking holiday. On weekends, I host a live show called Chinni Chinni Aasa on Maa Music (10-11 am). I have completed over 100 episodes. We are also planning to start a YouTube channels soon after my sister finishes her Class X exams. So my day is packed with many activities. Recently, I have also started working for movies. So on some weeks, I tend to go for an outdoor shoot.
What’s your dream?
I want to become a radio jockey where I can showcase my voice skills. And I want to open a restaurant too and become a chef.
How did you land in AaAa, Trivikram’s film?
Two years ago, I performed a fun skit with my sister for the audio launch of director Kona Venkat’s movie Shankarabharanam. As always I imitated many stars and spoke many dialects. Apparently Trivikram sir was also there and he heard me. So he made a mental note to cast me in his next movie. So when he offered me the role, I grabbed it.
You imitate actress Lakshmi Manchu really well. Your videos on that has a huge viewership. Did you ever meet her. How did she react to it?
I met her during the mehendi function at director Kodi Ramakrishna’s house. Lakshmi Manchu was also there. He introduced me to her but she had a hearty laugh at it. She did not take offence. In fact many people told me that if actor Mohan Babu watches it, he may blast me. Luckily nothing like that happened. I think they all take it in good spirit.