I’ve learned the importance of pausing and appreciating where I am: Shivathmika Rajashekar

Thrust into the limelight before she was out of her teens, Shivathmika had to do her growing up in the public eye. “Entering the public eye as a teenager with Dorasani was overwhel-ming at times; I was still finding my footing.

Back then, everything felt intense and all-consuming.

Today, I’m much more self-aware.

With experience, you learn to manage your emotions, and I feel far more grounded now than I did at 18,” says the actress, who seems to be finally finding her balance.

While Tamil films like Nitham Oru Vaanam and Aaromaley have earned her wider recognition, she’s currently back in Telugu cinema shooting for ENE Repeat, the highly anticipated sequel to Tharun Bhascker’s Ee Nagara-niki Emaindhi.

In conversation with Hyderabad Times, she talks about growing up in the public eye, finding her footing across two industries, and why she believes women are finally being written with greater depth on screen.‘Tamil cinema happened organically’While her recent filmography has leaned heavily toward Tamil cinema, Shivathmika insists the shift wasn’t deliberate. “I’ve often been asked whether Tamil films offered me better roles, but the truth is I’ve found meaningful characters in both industries.

What changed was the scale of recognition,” she explains. “The films I did in Telugu were appreciated, but Nitham Oru Vaanam gave me a visibility that I hadn’t experienced before.

It wasn’t driven by a conscious preference; it was simply a case of being seen more, considered more, and getting more opportunities.

I feel more seen in Tamil cinema than in Telugu cinema right now, but careers move in unexpected directions, and mine just happened to flow that way.” ‘I’ve learned the importance of pausing and appreciating where I am’Though she identifies proudly as a Telugu girl from Hyderabad, Shivathmika’s connection to Tamil Nadu runs deep. “My summers were spent in Chennai with extended family.

Tamil culture was woven into my upbringing, and because I speak the language, Chennai genuinely feels like a second home,” she shares, adding, “I’d love to explore Malayalam and Kannada cinema too, but since Telugu and Tamil both feel like home, building a career in both was always the plan.” Looking ahead, she is taking a measured approach to her slate.

She is currently being selective with Tamil scripts, while her Telugu lineup is packed with upcoming releases like Visa-Vintara Saradaga, ENE Repeat, and an unannounced project. “Like any actor, there’s always a part of me that hopes for that one viral moment or breakout success.

But at this stage of my life, I’ve learned the importance of pausing and appreciating where I am.

Rather than being consumed by what comes next, I’m trying to enjoy the journey and acknowledge how far I’ve already come,” she admits.I’ve always been a cinephile, so working in Tamil cinema was something I had hoped to do.

In fact, my goal was never limited to just Telugu and Tamil.

I would love to explore Malayalam and Kannada cinema as well‘ENE Repeat will resonate with women too’Speaking about how she landed the role, Shivathmika says she was instantly drawn to the sequel’s writing. “One day, Tharun invited me for what was initially a casual meeting, and during that interaction, he asked me to audition for the role,” she recalls. “What immediately stood out to me was the way he had written the female characters.

If the first part resonated strongly with young men, I believe the second part will strike a similar chord with women.” The film’s Thailand schedule on the island of Ko Chang deeply influenced her mindset. “It was honestly one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

You spend time watching the sunrise, the sunset, the waves, and suddenly you become much more aware of the world around you.

It teaches you to appreciate nature and the beauty of simply being present,” says Shivathmika, adding, “I returned from that trip feeling more grounded.”“The Thailand schedule of ENE Repeat was special largely because of the location.

Instead of filming in a busy city like Bangkok, we were shooting on the quiet island of Ko Chang, which made the experience truly refreshing”‘Women in cinema are no longer confined to one-dimensional roles’Shivathmika believes filmmakers today are increasingly willing to write women beyond conventional archetypes.

One such role, she points out, is Anjali in Aaromaley — the highly practical boss of a matchmaking agency who approaches love and relationships with logic rather than sentiment. “Anjali isn’t someone audiences immediately warm to — she’s guarded, headstrong and can often seem abrasive.

According to her, roles such as Anjali are becoming more common. “I feel fortunate to be working in both the Telugu and Tamil film industries at a time when filmmakers are crafting meaningful roles for women,” she adds.Read the latest Entertainment News and Celebrity updates.

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