Nandini elated at Nandi Award - TeluguPeople.com News

Hyderabad: Nandini was in Mumbai when she got her first congratulatory call for winning the Nandi Award for Best Debutant Director. 'I was actually a bit stunned. It completely slipped my mind that we had qualified for the 2010 awards because in my mind the movie released in 2011.

So I was a little confused initially, then I realised that we had done the censor certificate in 2010,' shares Nandini. Interesting first thoughts, one would think, but soon enough the confusion gave way to elation. There was one little glitch though. 'I realised I was in a city full of strangers with no one to share my happiness. It was quite a sad moment actually,' she shares smiling.

What Nandini has achieved goes beyond the Nandi award. 'The freshness of the content caught people's imagination. The film has given hope that small budget films can also work,' explains Nandini. 'I was just hoping that the film would do well. Thankfully it did much better and anything we get from here on is going to be a bonus,' she adds.

She's aware of the challenges that lie ahead. 'Ala Modalaindi came without any expectations. I will not have that luxury in my next film. So I am a little nervous because I know it is going to be tougher,' she offers adding, 'I want to try my hand at different genres early enough in my career to avoid getting stereotyped.'

It's hard to believe that she was once a civil service aspirant. Fortunately, she realised it pretty early during her Masters in International Politics at JNU that the civil services was not her cup of tea. Soon after passing out of college, Nandini was looking to get into advertising. 'I got in touch with Gunnam Gangaraju. He took me on as an assistant director in his film, Little Soldiers and that's when I realised films were my calling,' she shares. Then she assisted director Krishna Vamsi for a couple of years before taking the plunge into filmmaking.

Nandini has no qualms in admitting that she has problems with authority. 'I just cannot stand people throwing their weight around. That's why Ala Modalaindi took so long to make,' she says with a wink, going on to add, 'Although I do get along well with most people, I am not particularly good at being sweet to people. I do tend to tick off a lot of them.'

In fact, since her childhood, Nandini was a tomboy. 'Even as a kid I never played with dolls. I was always an outdoor person, either playing cricket or hanging out with the boys. I loved reading books and participating in elocution and debate competitions,' she shares.

She's the type who doesn't believe in wearing her femininity on her sleeve, so to speak. 'I do wear saris and salwar suits for weddings and other such occasions, but I just love my jeans and shirts. I find the whole process of dressing up a little too tedious,' she quips.

Let's just say her womanhood doesn't stem from her clothes. 'I consider myself extremely feminine; I just don't get the idea that identity can only be expressed through clothes. My feminity stems from my nature, sensitivities and my whole outlook towards life. I would rather let the things I do reflect who I am,' she confesses.

Nandini loves travelling and plans on doing a travel and food show. 'I absolutely love travelling. I watch all the travel shows on TV and really want to do my own travel and food show,' says the avid traveller. 'Although I am a terrible cook, I just love food. I am a true foodie in that sense,' she adds.

Bring up marriage and she brushes it off saying, 'I am very happy being single. If I find someone it is fine, even if I don't it's still fine.'