'DJ Duvvada Jagannadham' may have been getting mixed response from audiences, but its glam queen is surely the talk of the town. She did very glam role in the film and also appeared in bikini. Putting behind the failure of 'Mohenjo Daro' (Hindi), Pooja Hegde has made a healthy comeback in Telugu. In this interview, the diva with lot of oomph talks about how she felt working with Allu Arjun, why she liked 'DJ' and more.

Excerpts:

What have you been listening as feedback since the release of 'DJ' on June 23rd?

I am very happy that everyone is liking the movie. It's good to hear positive things being said about you.

After 'Mukunda' and 'Oka Laila Kosam', you were unexpectedly unseen in Tollywood. How does it feel to be back here, that too with a big-ticket mass entertainer?

It feels very good actually to emotionally re-connect to this place. As far as Tollywood is concerned, I am personal. I have always wanted to come back and do a film here.  After 'Mukunda', many offers did come my way, but I couldn't accept them as I was doing 'Mohenjo Daro' for two years. Also, I wanted to do something new. In 'Mukunda', I played a village girl's role, in the other Telugu film 'Oka Laila Kosam', I was mostly seen in salwar kameezes. So, I am glad that my comeback film has cast me in a new avatar.

That means you are very comfortable with being called the film's glamorous face?

For me, I here had a chance to showcase a new side to me. So far, I hadn't played such a role. I played a shy girl who hardly spoke, etc. In 'DJ', I am more of a dominating type who pulls the hero to her and plants a kiss on him! When Harish Shankar gave a narration, I asked him if I will get to dance in the movie. He said, 'Definitely!'  

That brings us to your chemistry with Allu Arjun.

(Smiles). I had always wanted to work with Allu Arjun. He is that co-star who gives you valuable tips. For example, he would ask me not to stop dancing as soon as the music stops so that it can lend to better editing. Such tips are difficult to come by. 'DJ' has made me a better actor. One has a lot to learn from him when he is acting or dancing.  

And wasn't it challenging to work with a style icon?

I enjoyed being part of 'DJ'. Allu Arjun is glamorous himself. Even if he is wearing 'lungi' or whatever, he brings his attitude and style to everything he does. Youngsters are putting on 'vibuthi' and wearing 'pancha kattu' in his style and posting pics on social media.  

How was it working with Harish Shankar...

He had offered me 'Subrahmanyam For Sale', but I couldn't do it because of the 'Mohenjo Daro' commitment. Before 'DJ', he called me up and told me he wanted to give me a narration. He wanted me to listen to it first, whether or not I would end up doing it. He is the funniest director I have ever worked with. His one-liners are witty and whatever stress one may have would disappear as soon as one starts working with him.

How about your Telugu?

When I was shooting for those Telugu movies, I was here for a long time. I kind of could speak. But when I went back to Mumbai, I had no one with whom I could communicate in Telugu. And when you don't practice a language, you forget it. But yes, I am starting to speak again. I can speak little bit of Telugu, but feel shy to open up as of now (Laughs).