“People are writing me messages and are referring me as Lekha, my character’s name in the film. One lovely message I remember is ‘Lekha, don’t feel bad, I’ll take you to a treat.’ I’d be lying if I say it’s not gratifying,” Swathi says, adding that she couldn’t be happier with the way the film has touched many women, even empowering them. “I see a lot of messages from women, saying that the film helped them. And these are simple, everyday women I’m talking about. The women who prepare avakai every summer, the women who make appadalu (paapad) and serve rasam in their homes for their family… To know that the film reached them is very fulfilling.”
As the conversation turns toward the diversity among audiences’ preferences and the reception of films across genres, Swathi states, “It depends on our personal experiences, financial status, and even our upbringing. You can’t say, for sure, how a film may influence one. Some may find it depressing while others may find it empowering. It’s all about perspective.”
