Baahubali actress Anushka Shetty's performance in Telugu dark fantasy horror film Arundhati is considered as one of the finest ones in the industry. However, not many know that that the actress was not the first choice to play this role; the filmmakers first contacted Manchu Lakshmi to do the role of jejamma.

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Manchu was already got popular after her role of sorceress Irendri in the film Anaganaga O Dheerudu. In fact, Manchu Lakshmi also received a Nandi Award for her performance in the film. Given the theme of magic in the film Arundathi, the makers believed it would be a good decision However, the actress was not in India and thus she refused to do the film.

After the actress refusal, the filmmakers decided to ask Mamata Mohandas. She too couldn't step in the shoes of jejamma as she was dealing with some health trouble at the time and ultimately the role was offered, Anushka Shetty. She brought the characters to life and made this movie one of the biggest blockbusters in the south.

The fantasy horror was released on January 16, 2009 and was directed by Kodi Ramakrishna and produced by Shyam Prasad Reddy under his home banner Mallemala Entertainments. Apart from Anushka Shetty, the movie also stared Sonu Sood, Arjan Bajwa and Sayaji Shinde in important roles. It was dubbed into Tamil and was released. It was a major hit among Tamil audience and was a blockbuster!

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