National Award-winning actress Keerthy Suresh has opened up about an unexpected lull in her career following the success of ‘Mahanati’, revealing that she went without new film offers for six months after portraying legendary actor Savitri in the acclaimed biographical drama.
In a recent interview with News18, Keerthy explained that the period following the 2018 film was more complicated than she had anticipated. Although the performance earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress and brought widespread recognition, professional opportunities did not arrive immediately.
The actress recalled that she had been working on projects continuously before ‘Mahanati’ and initially welcomed the opportunity to take a break. However, as the months passed without new assignments, the situation began to affect her finances.
“My financial stability was going for a toss,” Keerthy said, describing the uncertainty she experienced during that phase.
She suggested that the film’s impact on her image may have influenced the kinds of opportunities coming her way. Before ‘Mahanati’, she was often associated with familiar, girl-next-door characters. Her transformation into Savitri showcased a different dimension of her acting abilities, potentially prompting filmmakers to reconsider how they could cast her in future projects.
While the recognition was significant, finding roles that matched her evolving screen image proved challenging. The gap between projects therefore became a period of adjustment, both professionally and financially.
Keerthy, however, said she does not look back on the break with regret. The time away from shooting gave her an opportunity to focus on herself and understand the importance of financial planning. What initially appeared to be a setback eventually became a valuable learning experience.
The actress is now promoting ‘Akka’, a Netflix series featuring Radhika Apte alongside her. Set in the 1980s in the fictional South Indian city of Pernuru, the story centres on a powerful sisterhood whose established order faces a threat when an outsider arrives.
Keerthy plays Bhavani, one of the key figures in the series. With this project, the actress continues to explore new roles while reflecting on the career lessons she gained from the unexpected pause after one of her most celebrated performances.
