Actress Sushmitha Shetty is preparing for her debut as a female lead in the Telugu film Donga Naa Koduku, starring Mouli Tanuj Prashanth. Ahead of its November 13 release, she opened up about her lively on-screen character, her admiration for legendary actress Sridevi, and her journey from dance and theatre to cinema.
Telugu cinema newcomer Sushmitha Shetty is looking forward to an important milestone in her acting career as her upcoming film Donga Naa Koduku prepares to arrive in theatres on November 13, 2026.
The film, starring Mouli Tanuj Prashanth in the lead role, is directed by debutant filmmaker Srinu Kambala and produced by Mythri Movie Makers.
Sushmitha, who plays the female lead, recently shared details about her character, describing her as an energetic young woman whose confidence and innocence frequently lead to amusing situations.
Beyond discussing the film, the actress also reflected on her Hyderabad upbringing, her early passion for performing arts and the influence of legendary Indian actress Sridevi on her decision to pursue acting.
Sushmitha Shetty Reveals Details About Her Donga Naa Koduku Character
Speaking about her role in Donga Naa Koduku, Sushmitha described her character as playful, affectionate and full of energy.
“My character is very cute and bubbly, and she loves Eswar (Mouli) a lot,” the actress said.
According to Sushmitha, the character believes she is clever and capable of handling difficult situations. However, her confidence sometimes leads her into unexpected trouble.
The actress explained that her character becomes involved in a crime without fully understanding what is happening.
This situation provides the foundation for several humorous moments in the story.
Rather than relying entirely on exaggerated comedy, Sushmitha said the humour comes from her character’s innocence and the unintended consequences of her actions.
“There is some innocent comedy in my character. Whatever I try to do, it eventually turns out to be funny,” she explained.
Her comments suggest that the film will combine a romantic storyline with situational comedy and elements of crime-related confusion.
Donga Naa Koduku Marks Sushmitha Shetty’s Debut as a Female Lead
Although Donga Naa Koduku represents a major step in Sushmitha’s career, it is not her first experience performing for the camera.
The actress previously appeared in the web series Jagame Sangeetham.
Her upcoming Telugu film marks her debut as a female lead in a theatrical feature.
Sushmitha expressed excitement about the opportunity to watch herself on the big screen.
The transition from digital productions to a cinema release represents an important professional milestone, particularly for an emerging performer working to establish a presence in the Telugu entertainment industry.
With Mythri Movie Makers associated with the production, the film also brings Sushmitha into a project backed by an established Telugu cinema banner.
Sridevi Inspired Sushmitha Shetty to Become an Actress
Sushmitha credits legendary actress Sridevi as one of the most important influences behind her interest in cinema.
“Sridevi garu is my inspiration,” she said while discussing her childhood ambitions.
The actress explained that she developed a passion for dance at a young age and went on to learn several dance forms.
Over time, she became increasingly interested in the expressive aspects of performance.
Dance, she said, requires performers to communicate emotions through facial expressions and body movements.
That experience encouraged her to explore acting.
Her admiration for Sridevi also reflects the enduring influence of the late actress, whose career extended across multiple Indian film industries and included performances in a wide variety of genres.
For Sushmitha, the connection between dance and acting became a natural starting point for her journey into entertainment.
From Hyderabad to Studying Abroad: Sushmitha’s Early Journey
Sushmitha was born and raised in Hyderabad, although her family has roots in Karnataka.
“My grandparents are from Karnataka, but they settled in Hyderabad 40 years ago,” she said.
Her background reflects a connection to both Telugu-speaking and Kannada cultural environments.
After completing her early education, Sushmitha pursued further studies abroad.
During that period, she also had opportunities to explore theatre.
The experience added another dimension to her interest in performance, allowing her to develop skills beyond dance.
Although she has not detailed every aspect of her training in the supplied interview, her background in dance and theatre appears to have played an important role in preparing her for acting.
Sushmitha Praises Co-Star Mouli Tanuj Prashanth
Sushmitha also spoke positively about working with Mouli Tanuj Prashanth, who plays Eswar in Donga Naa Koduku.
The actress described her co-star as talented and humble, expressing appreciation for the experience of sharing screen space with him.
“He is a very talented and humble person,” she said.
Sushmitha added that she enjoyed collaborating with Mouli and wished him continued success in his career.
Their characters’ relationship forms part of the film’s romantic storyline, with Sushmitha’s character deeply attached to Eswar.
Their on-screen dynamic is expected to contribute to the film’s mix of romance and comedy.
However, further story details and the exact nature of the crime-related plot have not been fully established in the supplied information.
Why Sushmitha Finds the Film’s Title Catchy
The title Donga Naa Koduku has attracted attention for its playful and conversational quality.
Sushmitha believes the name is entertaining and relatable to audiences.
She described it as a fun title that fits the light-hearted tone of the film.
According to the actress, the movie offers plenty of entertainment.
The title, combined with her description of the character and story, suggests that the filmmakers are positioning the project as an accessible Telugu entertainer with humour and romantic elements.
The film’s teaser has also been part of its promotional campaign ahead of the scheduled theatrical release.
Ram Charan, Allu Arjun and Jr NTR Are Among Her Favourite Dancers
Dance continues to be one of Sushmitha’s strongest personal interests.
When asked about performers she admires in Telugu cinema, she named Ram Charan, Allu Arjun and Jr NTR.
All three actors are widely recognised for their energetic screen performances and elaborate dance sequences.
Sushmitha’s admiration for them is consistent with her own background in dance and her appreciation for the expressive demands of performance.
For a young actress who developed an interest in cinema through dancing, choreography remains an important creative influence.
Her comments also indicate that she values the combination of physical skill, rhythm and emotional expression that dance can bring to film storytelling.
Mahanati Is Sushmitha Shetty’s Favourite Film
While Sushmitha is making her debut as a female lead in an entertainer, her ambitions extend beyond light-hearted roles.
The actress named Mahanati, starring Keerthy Suresh, as her favourite film.
Directed by Nag Ashwin, the 2018 Telugu biographical drama follows the life and career of legendary actress Savitri.
Sushmitha said she admires the emotional depth of the film and hopes to portray similarly layered characters in the future.
“There are so many emotions in that film, and I would love to play a role that has such emotional depth,” she said.
Her preferences are not limited to intense dramas.
The actress also expressed interest in sports-based films, romantic comedies, horror stories and suspense thrillers.
That range suggests she is keen to explore different forms of storytelling rather than restrict herself to a particular screen image.
Sushmitha Shetty Is Also Working on Two Tamil Films
Even before the theatrical release of Donga Naa Koduku, Sushmitha has begun exploring opportunities beyond Telugu cinema.
The actress revealed that she is currently working on two Tamil films.
She did not provide further details about the titles, directors, casts or release schedules in the supplied interview.
The projects nevertheless indicate her intention to build a career across multiple film industries.
For an emerging actress, opportunities in both Telugu and Tamil cinema could provide access to different audiences, filmmaking styles and character-driven projects.
Official announcements will be needed to establish further details about her upcoming films.
Donga Naa Koduku Release Date and Film Details
Donga Naa Koduku is scheduled for a theatrical release on November 13, 2026.
The film features Mouli Tanuj Prashanth as the male lead and Sushmitha Shetty as the female lead.
Srinu Kambala is making his directorial debut with the project, while Mythri Movie Makers is associated with its production.
Based on Sushmitha’s description, the storyline includes romance, situational humour and a character who unexpectedly becomes entangled in a crime.
The film’s final release arrangements, full cast and other production details should be confirmed through official announcements.
A New Chapter for Sushmitha Shetty
For Sushmitha Shetty, Donga Naa Koduku represents the culmination of interests she has pursued since childhood.
From learning dance and exploring theatre to appearing in a web series and securing a theatrical lead role, her journey has involved several stages of preparation.
Her upcoming character offers an opportunity to introduce herself to cinema audiences through a lively performance that combines romance and comedy.
At the same time, her admiration for emotionally demanding films such as Mahanati points towards the variety of roles she hopes to explore.
With a Telugu theatrical debut approaching and two Tamil projects reportedly in development, Sushmitha is entering an important early phase of her acting career.
For now, she is focused on introducing audiences to a character she describes as cute, bubbly and unintentionally funny when Donga Naa Koduku arrives in theatres.
