It’s all God’s gift! I never expected this. The offer which I got in my first Tamil film itself was too
good. Thanks to Cheran sir! Cheran sir came to Allepey for location hunt for his film Autograph. He was
looking out for a new ‘mallu’ girl for that particular character. Production executive Kabir showed my
photos among other 5 girls. He selected me and assured that this role would be a talked about which has
come true today. I was made to dub my own voice after so much of coaxing because it was Malayalee girl's
role.

You appeared so goodie...goodie in your first film! From the promos of your next film Kanaa Kanden, it  appears you have taken to glamour!
No way would I do very glamourous role. In KK, it goes well with the story. I think you are talking about
a particular song picturised on me and hero Srikanth. It’s a situational song. Actually in the original
context the song is sung by the newly married in the bedroom. Since we felt it would not suit me, the
director KV Anand changed it to outdoor duet. He also promised that he would take it in a subtle way. I
took him for confidence. But I have not even worn any revealing dresses in that song.

Though you are a Malayalee, Gopika looks perfect Telugu girl was the general feel of audience who watched Naa Autograph. How do you feel about it?
I was elated and it was because of the powerful character. Also it was a remake, and I was very
comfortable. The success in Tamil gave confidence in Telugu.

Heard your younger sister is also being launched in Tamil!
My sister Gliny is getting lot of offers. She has just completed her plus2. Seriously there are no plans
to launch my little sister in films.

Have you changed after becoming a top actress?
First of all I don’t consider myself as a top actress. My entering film is only accidental. I do not
believe in these ‘number games’. So I do not really crave to reach to top. I will do my work and leave the
rest to God!

What are your future commitments?
My next release would be Kanaa Kanden where I play a serious role as wife of Srikanth, Thotti Jaya with
Simbhu where I am a college student. I am looking forward a lot from to Ponniyin Selvan, where I am teamed
up with Ravi Krishna because for the first time I am trying out comedy in this film.



Gopika has had two releases in Telugu so far --- Naa Autograph and Letha Manasulu. Both cannot be classified as hits. But Gopika is now being classified as a star material.

What does the heroine think about her rise here and elsewhere? Check-out in this interview:


How does it feel to be a top actress in such a short span?
It is all unbelievable. Frankly, as like most of the actresses, I had not intention of joining films. But I won a beauty contest back in my hometown Thrissur and a couple of ads for a popular jewellery shop. Soon enough the film offers started and before long I was off.

But from Malayalam you went to Tamil and then only you came to Telugu. Explain this journey
I guess it is all a logical process. After seeing my 4 The People, Cheran (the Tamil film director) sought me out for his film. After all the tests, I was made one of the heroines in his film Autograph. Though there two other actresses including Sneha, my role was spoken about very highly. The Malayalam-based role went down well with masses. And when they decided to do the film In Telugu, it was natural that I played the role. In fact, except for Bhumika, all of the three other heroines had worked in the Tamil original.

Take us through your first Telugu film's experience
What do I say except that fact that I have had great memories of the film. I don't know whether it is a hit. But I know for a fact that I have been accepted well. My role has been appreciated. It is a simple but powerful character. It is the pivot on which the movie sits. The natural innocence and strong will of the character is a wonderful combination. I enjoyed every minute it. It appeals to the sensitivities and sensibilities of every one.

On Letha Manasulu
Well, this is another author-backed role. In the Tamil original Deivayani played it. Then again, it is a powerful character of a woman who has to take on her husband's other woman. Then again a lot of thought had gone into the characterization. I guess there was not even a single coarse dialogue in the film.

Between the two, which role do you identify with more?
Difficult to tell. Both have a beautiful side to them. Tenderness is at the core of both the characters. I guess it has to be Naa Autograph, because it is more slice-of-life. It is from everyone'' life.

How was it working with stars like Ravi Teja and Srikanth?

Absolutely fine. Both are professionals. One is a mass hero and another has family hero sentiment. Both put me at ease and never behaved as big stars with me. In fact, it has been a pleasant experience working in Telugu. The people have been nice and sweet.

Your next film, Yuvasena, too is a remake. Does it feel bad to be doing only remakes?
I guess I have to make do with what comes my way. Ideally, I would want to do roles that are new. But having said that, these roles were one time new and fresh. So somewhere down the line I have to make compromises.