The actor credits early appearances in major films with helping audiences discover her, while explaining how her priorities changed after Mahanati.
Keerthy Suresh says smaller roles in films featuring major South Indian stars helped her establish a foothold in the industry. Speaking to Filmfare in an interview published on October 29, the actor described those opportunities as a foundation for the more substantial characters she now pursues.
“Those kinds of roles give me some kind of establishment. They give me some kind of exposure,” she said.
From visibility to greater responsibility
Keerthy explained that becoming familiar to audiences was part of a gradual process. Early appearances helped build recognition, creating opportunities to carry female-led stories later.
She identified Mahanati and her subsequent work as important to that change. Having demonstrated a wider range, she said she now receives offers that give her more to contribute than brief appearances.
Her comments describe an evolution in her own career rather than a rejection of the roles that helped her get started.
Films with Vijay Deverakonda and Venkatesh
In the same interview, Keerthy confirmed projects with Vijay Deverakonda and Venkatesh, emphasising that both feature important characters for her.
The distinction in her comments concerns the substance of the role: appearing alongside a major star remains part of her work, alongside her interest in female-led projects.
Mahanati also brought an unexpected career pause
The transition was not immediate. In a separate News18 interview reported by Cinema Express, Keerthy recalled going six months without new film offers after Mahanati.
She believed filmmakers were reassessing what to offer her following her portrayal of Savitri. Although she initially welcomed a break from continuous shooting, the lack of new projects affected her financial stability.
Looking back, she said the time away also allowed her to focus on her health and learn more about managing her finances. That account adds context to her career progression: greater recognition did not immediately produce a steady flow of suitable work.
Keerthy plays Bhavani in Netflix’s Akka
Keerthy also leads Akka alongside Radhika Apte. Written and directed by Dharmaraj Shetty, the YRF Entertainment series centres on a rivalry between Keerthy’s Bhavani and Apte’s Rudra in the fictional world of Pernuru.
Netflix announced an October 30, 2026 premiere. The ensemble includes Tanvi Azmi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Anshuman Pushkar and Monica Panwar.
