Patralekhaa is gearing up to play social reformer, educationalist and poet Savitribai Phule in her next, Phule. “I am super nervous,” says the actor, who admits the prep to play someone of this stature has been challenging — more so because there is no footage or frame of reference available to help her get into the skin of the character.

“We don’t know what her demeanour was like,” Patralekhaa tells us, adding, “It’s just her poetry and what she’s left behind that we have [to understand her]. But, Savitribai’s writing is a window to her mind and mental state. I believe that’s better than any material.” In the absence of reference material, she asserts she is going to play Savitribai “like I think she would have been, like I would perceive her”.

Besides the Citylights (2014) actor, the Ananth Narayan Mahadevan directorial also stars Pratik Gandhi — as social reformer Jyotirao Phule. Is she apprehensive at all, about how the audience would react to such icons being recreated on the big screen?

“I don’t want to hurt anyone’s sentiments with the way I interpret anything. It would never be intentional. The rest, I leave to God,” Patralekhaa asserts.

“She (Savitribai) is such an inspirational character. I don’t know if I will be able to do justice to her. But, the clarity my director has and the talent that Pratik possesses pacify me a little. It feels like I am in good hands,” she wraps up.