Lakshmi Manchu sure seems to know how to mix work with pleasure. The actress, who has been holidaying in the US for the past few weeks, has just finished dubbing for her upcoming Hollywood film, Basmati Blues. "Work is pleasure," quips the actress, who is sharing the screen with international stars like Brie Larson, Donald Sutherland and Scott Balkulain the movie billed as a "rom-com".
Lakshmi is playing the role of an Indian woman named Sita who meets a scientist, played by Scott Bakula, when he visits India to sell genetically modified rice to Indian farmers. The TV show host-turned-actress taught her co-star a thing or two about free style Indian dancing. "You know, I even danced for a Bollywood number with Scott Bakula in this film. That was so much fun," Lakshmi reveals.
The actress admits to have thoroughly enjoyed working with an all American crew. "It feels great to be working with an American crew after a long time. I love the enthusiasm that they have about making a film. It's not just a mere job for them. We shot for this film in Mumbai, Kerala and the US, and I'm looking forward to the film's release later this year," she says, adding, "We shot the film in some breathtakinglocales in the interiors of Kerala and I didn't even know such places existed."
The actress has plenty to look forward to later this year with two films lined up for release, apart from her ongoing successful game show on TV. She will soon be seen in Praveen Sattaru's anthology film, Chandamama Kathalu in which she's playing an ex-model.
Of late Lakshmi has been in news for her "imminent debut in active politics" later this year. The actress dismisses the speculations as "unfounded rumours". "I've been hearing the same, and it's news to me as well. I don't know where they come from. Don't believe them," she says.
