Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; December 11, 2019)

Actress Vedhika Kumar says she is ready to give her best in her first Bollywood film, The Body, after having done 22 films in multiple languages down South, which include Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu. The actress, who has hits like Kanchana 3, Paradesi and Shivalinga to her credit, talks to Bombay Times about her debut in Hindi films, the experience of working with Emraan Hashmi and Rishi Kapoor, among others. Excerpts...

You are doing your first Hindi film, The Body, after having worked in the South film industry for around eight years. Didn’t the thought of exploring Bollywood cross your mind earlier?
I started my acting career very early. I was still completing my schooling when I began my career in the South film industry. I was doing well there while also completing my studies. Bollywood has been on my wishlist for a long time, and I got the right launchpad with The Body. Besides, I also felt that I should gain some experience there and then do Hindi films.

Have you ever been offered Hindi films before The Body?
I was offered a few scripts, but they never excited me as the scope for performance was very limited. They were not the kind of debut vehicle I wanted to launch my Bollywood career with. So, when The Body came my way there were many things that seemed to work in my favour and one of it was the film’s script. I play Ritu (Emraan’s love interest), who is like a girl-next-door and is a character that I can totally relate with. Secondly, it has such fine actors like Rishi Kapoor sir and Emraan Hashmi. It’s a great opportunity to work with some of the best in the industry, so there was no way I could miss it. Besides, there’s a lot of freshness in the character that I play, which is that of a college girl. This is the way I wanted to be presented in my first film.

Do you think that your experience as an actor in the South film industry worked in your favour in bagging this film?
There is no formula for bagging a film, you just work through whatever is given to you and aim for the best. Having said that, the experience that I gained while working in South films has been an advantage. The director of The Body, Jeethu Joseph, is aware of my work and films in the South. So, when I met him and Sunir Kheterpal (the producer of the film), they felt that I fit the role perfectly and that’s how things fell into place.

What was the experience like to work with Emraan Hashmi and Rishi Kapoor in the film?
I am a huge admirer of Emraan and his work. His movies have great music and this film is no different. He is down-to-earth and made me feel comfortable from the word go, so it never felt like I was working with him for the first time. I had a different impression of Emraan in my head. I thought that he would be intense and serious, like he is in some of his films (laughs!). I haven’t shared screen space with Rishi sir in the film, but I did meet him, and he took the entire team out for dinner. It was a really sweet gesture to include me in their plans as well. These are small moments that I am going to cherish.

Showbiz is known to be a tough space to survive in, so how did you handle the ups-and-downs in your career?
For me balancing my films and studies was difficult, but once I put my heart into something, then I give it my all. I didn’t know much about South film industry and how it worked, so initially, a few things didn’t work in my favour. It wasn’t a smooth journey for me, but eventually, I was approached for mainly performance-oriented, strong author-backed roles where I got to work with and interact with National Award winners like Bala sir (Palanisamy), Vasantha Balan, A R Rahman as well as Raghava Lawrence. I have also been part of hit films like Kanchana 3, Paradesi and others. I believe that there should be a graph to my career, so that it teaches me to make better choices.

Do you feel this film will help open more doors for you in Bollywood?
I am already receiving a warm welcome in Bollywood and meeting the best of people here. I have also been offered a few projects and one of them will be announced very soon. I am ready to do all kinds of films as I don’t want to be stereotyped. I have done roles that are poles apart in South cinema, and that is what I am aiming for in Bollywood, too.

Actor recently wrapped up his upcoming crime thriller with a song about heartbreak
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 22, 2019)

Emraan Hashmi, who had been shooting for the last leg of debutant director Jeethu Joseph’s crime-thriller, The Body, earlier this month in Mumbai, wrapped it up with a song, titled “Khuda Hafiz”. Composed and penned by Arko Pravo Mukherjee, it features playback by Arijit Singh. According to a source from the sets, the song punctuates the ultimate conflict faced by Emraan’s protagonist in the story. While he is married—debutant South actress Vedhika Kumar (right) plays his wife in the film—he is in love with Sobhita Dhulipala’s (below) character.

“The song arrives at a crucial point, when he must make a decision about who he wants to be with. It was recorded late last year. The majority of the sequence was shot in Mauritius and the team is putting the final touches in Mumbai,” the source added.

Arko confirmed the news, saying, “Yes, it is a goodbye song sung by Arijit, who has a big fan-following, so we were very excited about it. It’s a heartbreak song that I had written three years ago for another film, but it has ended up in The Body. This is the first time I’m working with Emraan. We were to collaborate on Mohit Suri’s Hamari Adhuri Kahani but that didn’t work out.”

Mirror had earlier reported (February 8) that besides fronting the film, Emraan has been attending music sittings and Jeethu, who is not too familiar with Bollywood songs, is said to be glad to have his input. The Body also features Rishi Kapoor as a cop investigating a murder case. The body is missing.

Emraan on the film set; Sobhita Dhulipala and Vedhika Kumar (below)

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 8, 2019)

Emraan Hashmi, who will next be seen in Jeethu Joseph’s Hindi directorial debut The Body, recently shot for a romantic number with both his leading ladies - Sobhita Dhulipala and South actress Vedhika Kumar. The investigative thriller revolves around a missing dead body. The song, which adds to its love quotient, was shot in Mauritius and choreographed by Ranju Varghese.

A source from the set says, “The song comes at a crucial point in the story where Emraan’s character is seen romancing his wife while the girl he is actually in love with is on his mind. It portrays his dilemma. The song was shot in a week-long schedule with both actresses. Beaches, a waterfall and the streets of the island where the characters are seen driving around, form its backdrops.”

Besides fronting the film, Emraan has reportedly been attending music sittings and Jeethu, who is not too familiar with Bollywood songs, is said to be glad to have the input for a good soundtrack. The Body also features Rishi Kapoor as a cop investigating the case.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 30, 2018)

Mirror had earlier reported (May 22) that Kaalakandi actress Sobhita Dhulipala has been roped in for a significant role in Malayalam filmmaker Jeethu Joseph’s Hindi debut, a crime thriller remake of the 2012 Spanish film, The Body.

Now, we have learnt that the project also marks the Hindi debut of popular South actress Vedhika Kumar. The film, tentatively titled The Body, features Emraan Hashmi as the leading man and Rishi Kapoor in a prominent role.

“I’m so glad I waited for the right project to come my way. I’m excited and thankful,” Vedhika, who has appeared in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films and made her breakthrough as Angamma in the acclaimed period film Paradesi in 2013, tells Mirror.

Jeethu reveals that Vedhika was locked for the part after a nationwide hunt and several auditions. “The character is of a young college-going girl with some innocence about her. She fits the role beautifully. Her pairing with Emraan will be fresh and one to watch out for,” Jeethu adds.

While shooting for the film kicked off in the second week of May in Mumbai, the unit is set to fly to Mauritius next week for an extensive schedule.