Mahanati: Keerthy Suresh to put on weight for Savitri biopic

Keerthy Suresh, who will star as actor Savitri in the biopic on the legendary South Indian actor, will put on weight for the film.

Actor Keerthy Suresh, who plays legendary actor Savitri in upcoming multilingual biopic Mahanati, will have to gain weight to shoot some important portions of the film which went on the floors last week.

Actor Keerthy Suresh plays Savitri in Tamil biopic Mahanati. (Facebook)

“Keerthy has already started shooting. She is currently shooting the portion where Savitri was a youngster. She is required to gain weight to play Savitri in her prime when she had serious weight issues but was still loved by audiences,” said a source from the film’s unit.

Being directed by Nag Ashwin, the film - to be made in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam - also stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Dulquer Salmaan.

While Samantha plays a key role, Dulquer will reprise veteran actor Gemini Ganesan, who was married to Savitri.

“It’ll be a magnum opus period film set in the golden era. With massive set pieces, the film will be unlike anything we’ve explored in Indian cinema,” said Ashwin.

Born on January 4, 1936, Savitri made her acting debut in 1950 Telugu-Tamil drama Samsaram, and went on to star in several classics such as Devadasu, Missamma, Penin Perumai, Pasa Malar, Bhale Ramudu, Thodi Kodallu, Mayabazaar and Gundamma Katha.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Keerthy made her debut on Instagram.

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