Manasa Varanasi expands horizons in Tamil cinema

Miss India 2021, Manasa Varanasi, is making her debut as a lead actress in the film Devaki Nandana Vasudeva alongside Ashok Galla. She reveals that acting was not her first choice after winning the Miss India crown.
“I was born in Hyderabad and moved to Malaysia for my schooling until 10th grade because of my father’s work. After returning to Hyderabad, I completed my engineering and later worked in a corporate company,” Manasa shares.
Her life took a dramatic turn after winning the Miss India pageant. “In two years, my life changed completely,” she says. Reflecting on her post-Miss India phase, she adds, “I had many questions—should I continue with my corporate job, or should I pursue something new? Cinema has always been a passion and I decided to take steps toward learning this new world.”
Her manager, Pushpa, connected her to the producer of Devaki Nandana Vasudeva, followed by the lead actor Ashok Galla and his family. “I’m grateful to be a part of this film. It’s a commercial divine thriller and I play Satyabhama, a character who hails from Vizianagaram, where most of the film was shot. She’s mysterious, courageous, and stands strong in any situation,” she explains.
Many Miss India winners have turned to Bollywood after their titles, but Manasa’s focus was initially on the Miss World competition. “After winning Miss India, my priority was preparing for Miss World and I had a hectic schedule. As part of Miss World, I worked on child safety and women’s development with the Telangana government,” she shares.
She also spoke about the differences between the beauty pageant world and the film industry. “There’s a grace in walking at Miss India, but acting in front of the camera requires a different body language and style. I had many offers post-crowning, but I was in two minds about entering the film industry. It was only after Miss World that I decided to take acting seriously.”
Manasa’s journey into films began with workshops, including a 10-day crash course at the Adishakti Theatre in Pondicherry. “It boosted my confidence and taught me a lot,” she says.
Despite the glamour of her fame, Manasa remains grounded. “The moment Miss India happened, my family and I had to adjust. Our lives are no longer private, and I’ve learned to manage that balance,” she reflects.
Looking ahead, Manasa is committed to continuing her film career. “I’ve already signed another film, opposite Santosh Sobhan and the shooting is underway,” she reveals. She describes her experience with Devaki Nandana Vasudeva as a “roller coaster” filled with highs and lows, adding, “It’s been a huge learning experience for me.”
Manasa also shared the challenges she faces as an actress: “Body language is different in front of the camera and I had to learn to be uninhibited. Another challenge is getting into a role quickly and leaving it behind once the shoot is over. But I enjoy these creative challenges,” she says.
She also reflected on the time constraints in the film industry compared to theatre. “In theatre, we had months to prepare, but in films, we often get only one or two days before the shoot,” she says.
As a Telugu girl, Manasa feels grateful and determined to make her mark. “Cinema is an art form, a level playing field where caste, creed, or gender don’t matter,” she adds. Manasa is keen on expanding her career into different languages and genres. “I am learning Tamil and I’d love to do a Tamil film. My interests lie in romantic comedies and mystery thrillers, but I’m open to exploring exciting opportunities,” she concludes.