Bollywood actress Aafia Sayed, who was recently seen in Prem Keetanu, the Hindi remake of the hit film Premalu, is set to make her Telugu debut with Alias Rukmini. She plays a schoolteacher known for her bossy ways. Nicknamed Hitler by her students, Rukmini is a woman who likes to have things her way.

‘A Lot of Heart’

Produced by popular actor Nani, the film is a love story with a conflict at its core. Aafia describes it as a story with “a lot of heart”. Speaking to IANS, the actress admitted that the opportunity still feels unreal.

“It feels surreal to be making my Telugu debut with this film,” she said, marking her entry into the Telugu film industry.

Aafia, the niece of Hindi film producer-director Sajid Nadiadwala, brings expressive eyes and a screen presence that can convey emotion without words. Her role as Rukmini calls for a balance of strictness and vulnerability, offering her an opportunity to explore different shades of the character.

Bollywood Actresses Find Opportunities in Telugu Cinema

Aafia’s move from Hindi cinema to Tollywood reflects a broader trend, with Telugu films increasingly attracting actresses from Bollywood. Deepika Padukone appeared in Kalki 2898 AD, while Alia Bhatt featured in RRR. Both established stars brought significant pan-India visibility to their respective projects.

A newer generation of actors is also exploring opportunities in Telugu cinema. Rasha Thadani, daughter of Raveena Tandon, made her Telugu debut with Srinivasa Mangapuram. Janhvi Kapoor has appeared in Devara and Peddi, while Manushi Chhillar starred opposite Varun Tej in Operation Valentine. Bhagyashri Borse made her Telugu debut with Mr. Bachchan.

The appeal is clear: Tollywood offers ambitious productions, varied roles and access to audiences across linguistic markets. For actresses such as Aafia, it presents an opportunity to expand their horizons and begin a new chapter in their careers. With Alias Rukmini, she will look to make her mark in a new language and industry.

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At the Ranabaali pre-release event, the effortless camaraderie and warm chemistry between Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna stole the spotlight. Dressed in coordinated white ensembles, Vijay opted for a crisp traditional vest paired with dhoti pants, while Rashmika looked elegant in a white saree with gold embroidery and a red blouse. Their affectionate exchanges added to the buzz surrounding the event.

Their playful yet heartfelt demeanour came through in their speeches. Expressing his admiration for Rashmika’s dedication, Vijay said, “You have crazy willpower. You don’t work like a human, you work like a robot. When I see your growth, it fills me with pride.”

Earlier, Rashmika, known for her performances in Pushpa and Animal, affectionately addressed Vijay as “Vijju” and said, “Vijju, it doesn’t feel like I am married to you. I am a huge fan of your work. I am still a fangirl today.” Their mutual admiration was evident throughout the event. In Ranabaali, the actors play a married couple, bringing an added emotional dimension to their on-screen pairing.

If you thought Kiran Rao’s watchlist only holds niche festival cinema and moody art-house gems, think again. The filmmaker has officially caught the K-drama fever, and she has her heart set on one iconic classic.

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During an appearance on the podcast The Popcorn Hour, the Laapataa Ladies director opened up about her unexpected love for South Korean television. Acknowledging that she rarely tracks buzzy pop culture trends, she confessed, “I watch K-dramas. I mean, considering that I don’t usually follow popular culture, can you imagine me watching K-dramas? It’s crazy.” Yet out of all the shows she has explored, one series stole her heart completely.

“Best K-drama is a show called Reply 1988. It’s a fantastic show. It’s actually set in 1988. In fact, that’s something I would love to remake,” Kiran revealed, instantly sending cinephiles into a frenzy of excitement.

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Released in 2015, director Shin Won-ho’s Reply 1988 remains the undisputed gold standard of slice-of-life storytelling. It tracks five childhood companions growing up alongside one another in Seoul’s charming Ssangmun-dong alleyway. While teenage heartbreaks and coming-of-age quirks drive the plot, Kiran observed that the series’ genuine emotional weight belongs to the older generation.

“The genuine jewel of this show is the older women, the mothers, and the fathers. They are just so good,” she explained, admiring how gracefully the show handles their silent sacrifices and financial worries. Drawing a poetic cultural parallel between Seoul and home, she added, “It’s set in a para, as they call it, a neighbourhood in Seoul in 1988. In fact, in Kolkata also you call it para only.”

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It makes total sense why the narrative strikes such a deep chord with her. Rao’s cinematic sensibility, from the quiet urban connections in Dhobi Ghat to the grounded rural empathy of Laapataa Ladies, has always found magic in community bonds. Ssangmun-dong’s doorstep banter and shared dinners translated into an Indian neighbourhood with Kiran Rao at the helm? Now that is truly an adaptation dream Bollywood could get behind.

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