The actor says her portrayal of Savitri changed how filmmakers viewed her, leaving an unexpected gap between acclaim and new opportunities.
Keerthy Suresh has recalled going six months without new film offers after Mahanati, revealing that the professional lull affected her financial stability. Although she initially welcomed time away from a demanding shooting schedule, the absence of fresh projects eventually became a concern.
Discussing the period in a News18 interview, as reported by Cinema Express, Keerthy said: “My financial stability was going for a toss.” She nevertheless said she does not regret the break, which gave her time to focus on herself and reconsider her priorities.
Why film offers slowed after Mahanati
The 2018 biopic saw Keerthy portray celebrated actor Savitri, a performance that earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress. But the recognition surrounding the role did not immediately produce a steady flow of suitable scripts.
Keerthy believes the performance changed the industry’s expectations of her. In comments from the News18 conversation reproduced by The Times of India, she explained that filmmakers appeared uncertain about what to offer next. Having seen her carry a demanding biographical role, they understood that subsequent characters needed to offer her something substantial.
That explanation reflects Keerthy’s assessment of the slowdown. Her account describes a gap in new offers, rather than a decision to reject acting altogether.
A change from her earlier screen roles
Before Mahanati, Keerthy said much of her work involved commercial films and girl-next-door characters with comparatively limited scope. Playing Savitri gave filmmakers a different view of her abilities, but it also complicated the transition to her next role.
She said she took that change in perception positively, recognising that people were considering more substantial material for her. The difficulty was the wait while those opportunities took shape.
The break gave her time to focus on health
Keerthy also used the quieter months to introduce exercise into a routine previously dominated by filming. In remarks reported by The Economic Times, she described wanting to take better care of her health, rather than pursuing a particular appearance.
The pause allowed her to explore a different daily routine after several years of continuous work. Looking back, she said the experience also taught her lessons about managing money and making more considered choices.
Her recollection captures two sides of the same period: relief at having time to herself and anxiety about an uncertain income. Neither cancelled out the other.
Keerthy Suresh stars opposite Radhika Apte in Akka
Keerthy’s comments come amid promotions for Akka, the Netflix gangster series written and directed by Dharmaraj Shetty.
She plays Bhavani opposite Radhika Apte’s Rudra in a story centred on competing ambitions, family loyalties and control over Pernuru. Produced by YRF Entertainment, the series is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on October 30, 2026. The ensemble also includes Tanvi Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Anshuman Pushkar and Monica Panwar.
