Kovai Sarala is my inspiration, says Rohini dabbling the world of television, OTT and films

Rohini, a B.Tech student, is now a star in comedy circuit . She was part of hit comedy show Jabardasth on ETV and now does Sreedevi Drama Company on the same channel to display her flair for comedy. Her OTT debut in Save The Tigers proved her mettle as a comedian

Remember the hilarious scene from the Allu-Arjun starrer Desamuduru when Kovai Sarala says Ábbaabba ennalaindi intha kharam tini’ after eating spicy red mango pickle? One among many fans of the scene and comedian was Rohini, a B.Tech student of VR Siddhartha Engineering College in Vijayawada, who would entertain friends with her imitation. Little did Rohini realise this admiration would chart a new journey with her in tinsel town.

Rohini is a shining star in the comedy circuit on television, OTT and films. From a small role as a constable in her first serial Kalavari Kodallu on Zee Telugu to portraying a comic maid Bhoolakshmi in the Disney+ Hotstar series Save The Tigers , she has had a slow and steady rise is her 10-year-journey.

Soft-spoken and cheerful, Rohini credits destiny and hard work for her success. Speaking to MetroPlus at her house in Manikonda, she recollects writing ‘imitating’ as a hobby in school, little realising that pastime would become an occupation. Lunch breaks were showtime for her to imitate her favourite actors Kovai Sarala, Ravi Teja and Vikram from Naana. “I used to often imitate different characters of Kovai Sarala garu and portray Jhansi garu’s character in Tulasi to entertain my friends; they would ask me to try my luck in the film industry but I would laugh it off,” recalls Rohini, an engineering graduate.

A chance to participate in a game show Teluginti adapaduchu opened up doors to television. Although Kalavari Kodallu was her debut , her character Rohini with a Rayalaseema dialect in Koncham Ishtam Koncham Kashtam (KIKK, 2014) was a first step to success.

She won her first Nandi award for KIKK in 2015 but she had to hit the pause button due to an accident that year. “It was tough. Everything I had created in 18 months came to a standstill,” she recalls. However, a few months later, a role in Inspector Kiran fetched television and movie roles including an entry in Bigg Boss (Season 3). “I was ousted in four weeks without any nomination. I appear like a tough person but am a very sensitive, emotional and easy going. Godavalu pettukune rakam kaadu nenu ( I am not an argumentative person).”

That reality show may not have helped her career, but another show Jabardasth on ETV gave a solid platform to display her flair for comedy. The spontaneous humour in different skits earned a devoted following on television that continues with Sreedevi Drama Company, a music, dance and comedy show. “Bhanupriya and Vijayashanti have been my favourite actors since childhood,” says Rohini, who recently presented varied facets of Vijayashanti including her intense acting style.

The actor blushes when the conversation veers towards her OTT debut Save The Tigers Season 1. She brought the house down with her selfie act while riding triple on a scooter and with the scene where she dries undergarments. Having finished a four-day shoot for the series’ Season 2, she says, “We did small improvisations during Season 1 shooting but the writing was exceptionally good . Every scene is memorable as we had lots of fun and a healthy competition to bring more laughs to each of our roles.”