Shivathmika Rajashekar on ‘ENE Repeat’: I never imagined myself in such a massive mainstream film

Shivathmika Rajashekar is promoting ENE Repeat, director Tharun Bhascker’s sequel to Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi, her biggest Telugu release yet. But as a habitual overthinker, she wonders if her hair looked flat or whether her sunglasses were right for her last interview, and about the possible comments on social media. For someone who has quietly built a career, the attention is a lot to take in. She grew up around the film world, accompanying her parents, Dr. Rajashekar and Jeevitha, to shoots.

But neither she nor her sister Shivani waited for offers. They called production houses and chased auditions. In the three years after her debut, Dorasaani, Shivathmika had no releases and very few chances to work. Today, things are looking up. As she soaks in the praise for the web series Varam (Jio Hotstar) and awaits ENE Repeat, which releases on November 19, Shivathmika doesn’t take anything for granted.

Excerpts from an interview: You have been acting for nearly seven years. Are you in a comfortable space now? I continue to reach out to makers and audition.