Chennai: National Award-winning actor Keerthy Suresh has revealed how conversations with Vijaya Chamundeswari helped her understand the off-screen personality of legendary actor Savitri while preparing for her acclaimed role in Mahanati.
Keerthy’s portrayal of Savitri in Mahanati earned widespread praise from critics and audiences and won her the National Film Award for Best Actress. Reflecting on the experience, the actor shared details about the extensive research that went into bringing one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated stars to life on screen.
Looking beyond Savitri’s films
Keerthy said watching Savitri’s films was an important part of her preparation, but she soon realised that understanding the actor’s personality away from the camera was equally important.
While studying Savitri’s performances helped her appreciate the screen legend’s craft, Keerthy wanted to learn more about the person behind the iconic roles. This led her to seek insights from family members and people who knew Savitri personally.
According to Keerthy, speaking with Savitri’s daughter provided valuable information that could not be found through films alone.
Personal memories shaped the portrayal
The actor revealed that Vijaya Chamundeswari shared several personal stories and memories about her mother, offering a deeper understanding of Savitri’s character and behaviour.
Keerthy said these conversations helped her build a mental picture of the legendary actor’s off-screen personality. She also recalled that whenever Chamundeswari visited the film’s sets, she would continue sharing anecdotes that further enriched the characterisation.
The actor noted that some similarities between her own personality and Savitri’s helped her connect more naturally with the role.
Interviews and stories added depth
Apart from family interactions, Keerthy also explored archival material, including a brief radio interview featuring Savitri.
She said listening to the interview gave her a clearer sense of Savitri’s spontaneous nature, humour and playful personality. The actor described the late star as someone who appeared lively, witty and full of warmth.
Keerthy further revealed that after signing the film, people frequently approached her with stories they had heard about Savitri from relatives and older generations. These personal recollections added further layers to her understanding of the actor.
Her mother also shared stories about Savitri, helping her piece together different perspectives on the screen icon’s life and personality.
Bringing Savitri to life
According to Keerthy, the combination of family anecdotes, interviews, personal memories and public recollections enabled her to create a more complete picture of Savitri.
By gathering insights from multiple sources, she was able to visualise how the legendary actor might have behaved and interacted with people in everyday life.
The actor said that once she formed a clear understanding of Savitri’s personality, she focused on bringing that vision to life through her performance.
A landmark performance
Released in 2018, Mahanati chronicled the life and career of Savitri, one of the most influential actors in Indian cinema.
Keerthy Suresh’s performance was widely acclaimed for capturing both the public image and personal struggles of the late actor. The film emerged as a critical and commercial success and remains one of the defining projects of Keerthy’s career.
Upcoming projects
On the professional front, Keerthy Suresh has several projects in the pipeline. She is set to appear in Raftaar, Sathyavan Savithiri, Rowdy Janardhana and the upcoming series Akka.
With a diverse slate of projects across languages and formats, the actor continues to be one of the most sought-after performers in Indian cinema.
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