Provocative posters, enticing promos and racy numbers – there is a lot buzz being generated around Puri Jagannadh’s upcoming film Jyothi Lakshmi. The first woman-centric Telugu film of the year, Jyothi Lakshmi features actress Charmme as the protagonist. The actress is both excited and nervous ahead of the film’s release. “I play a prostitute in the film, but my character is very happy, fun-loving, naughty and romantic. There is not a single lovemaking scene in the movie and there’s no vulgarity. Even though I play a sex-worker, there’s no sex in the film,” revealed the actress, on Tuesday.
The actress, who was last seen in the 2014 film Pratighatana, said the audience have a lot to look forward to with Jyothi Lakshmi.
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It is an unusual love story, where a man falls in love with a prostitute. How the woman changes for the man she loves and the impact her past has on their relationship is showcased in the film,” explained Charmme. Named after well-known yesteryear dancing sensation, the film’s title fuelled speculation about being made after the real Jyothi Lakshmi.
Putting all rumours at rest, Charmme said it’s completely original and a lot effort went into its making. “I lost 11kg for the role. In Tollywood there should be some heroinism as well,” she quipped, with a smile.
Known for her performances in films like Chukallo Chandrudu, King,Ragada, among others, Charmmee is be donning the hat of a producer for the first time with Jyothi Lakshmi. “I have known Puri for the last 10 years, and six years ago he told me about this script. Later, when everything was finalised, he floated the idea of me producing it. I accepted and soon I was given the responsibility of being a working producer.I decided every aspect of the film’s production,” the 28-year-old shared.
Describing her experience as a producer, she said, “The kick I got is something I never experienced in so many years,” she shared, adding that she would decide on producing more films in the future depending on how Jyothi Lakshmi fares.
Showering praise on director, friend and confidante Puri Jagannadh, Charmme said the filmmaker influenced her a lot. “It is a typical Puri Jagannadh film. Puri had trusted me and let me take decisions on my own. He signed up four to five movies so he works at a phenomenal speed. We finished the shoot in 37 days,” the actress revealed. Even as the audience is gearing up to see Jyothi Lakshmi in theatres, the filmmakers are ready with a script for a sequel. “We were just sitting together and suddenly Puri came up with the idea for a possible sequel. Soon they started talking and the script was ready to go. We will wait to see how Jyothi Lakshmi does before making any announcement, but if it does well, we are ready to make a sequel,” gushed Charmme.
Jyothi Lakshmi also features Satya and Brahmanandam and other newcomers in important roles.