An actor has won the game when we cry when they are crying on-screen and when we use cuss words when they torture the protagonist. But, not all the actors and characters can make us relate or emotional. it requires both meaty script and actor with substance. Jahnavi Dasetty aka Mahatalli has mastered the art of making us relate, smile and sometimes laugh at ourselves with the Youtube videos that she comes up with.
Her first video was released on March 11 this year on how every 22-year-old girl gets yelled at by moms for wearing skimpy clothes, for being on the phone all the time, for partying after 8 pm, for being domestically challenged and how they imply everything to wedding, her videos on how the interviewer grill the interviewee, girl’s shopping chaos, the bride and groom meet and many more became a hit instantly, making her a YouTube sensation overnight.
She is already flooded with offers. “I am being choosy though,” she informs. The teeny-weeny issues every girl from middle-class household goes through is put across in a quirky and humorous way.
This accidental actor, Jahnavi, who has made every twenty something switch from frown to smile says she gets annoyed when people say she has copied superwoman Lilly Singh. She states that she never copied her. Inspired is the word, she says.
Her tale on how she jumped into acting is just like her videos- funny and factual. “I did my major in accessory designing. I used to work in Mumbai. I always wanted to be a part of the acting circuit. So, I had decided to give up on my job and come and try my luck here. That’s when short films happened. Then the movie Thanu Nenu came my way. I was in for being a part of Mahathalli Mahanubhavudu, a web series and after that we all sat down, discussed and started Mahathalli,” she shares. The funny part follows.
“Initially, my parents didn’t know what I was up to. I told dad that I would be starting a boutique in Hyderabad. I told them after an year on what I was actually doing. Like any other south Indian parent, they didn’t take the point in the right way. But they saw me work hard for Thanu Nenu. I used to out on work for all those 5 am to 12 pm shoots.They understood that I was really serious about this field. Now, they have no option but support me, like, share and comment on videos,” she laughs out loud.
“My decision to quit Mumbai and shift to Hyderabad has been a game changer,” shares with this 23-year-old Telugu girl. Jahnavi works for Wirally, an infotainment website and says she earns enough to enjoy a ‘decent livelihood’. “They help me with the equipment and editing,” she adds.
This chirpy who changes her WhatsApp DP everyday proudly says, Mahatalli is all about her. “It’s the way I see things. It’s a girl talking about her everyday life. And I am glad people are loving me,” she smiles ear to ear.
Her passion shows up in her words and of course, in action too. “I write my own scripts and later sit with my colleagues and take their suggestions. We have a lot of spot improvisations too. I come up with concepts from the people around me and things that happen around me. It might sound weird. I come to office on a Scooty and it is on the ride that I look around for content. Also, I check what other people are doing, that’s when I think what I can also do,” she adds. This immensely passionate actor and entertainer’s dream is to own a house in Hyderabad.
Sharing about her some light moments from the sets, she says, “I tend to talk too much in English and my cinematographer keeps pulling my leg that we are Telugu people and its a Telugu show. I am trying my best to get the command over Telugu like anchor Suma,” she giggles.
Short films happened a few months after she landed in Hyderabad. The craze had affected her brains too. “Everyone around were into short films and I wanted a portfolio to showcase. Short films did help me achieve what I wanted. After Breakup Tarvata, Ram Mohan, producer of Ashta Chamma and Uyaala Jampala had asked me to join their crew for Thanu Nenu. I worked as an assistant director and costume designer for that film. It was a great learning experience,” she elucidates.
Getting noticed by the public boosts up the spirits and Jahnavi is already experiencing it. “I keep telling myself to do better each time, I get noticed at public places. I do not want to take anything for granted,” she concludes.