Actress Sobhita Dhulipala has opened up about the intensive physical preparation required for her upcoming role in director Pa. Ranjith’s action drama Vettuvam, revealing that she performed all her own stunts rather than relying on doubles during filming.
The film’s high-octane narrative demanded extensive conditioning in traditional Indian martial arts and combat disciplines. Dhulipala undertook rigorous training in ancient forms including Adi Murai, Mallakhamba, and the intricate handling of Surul (curling whip blades). Reflecting on the process, the actress noted that the experience expanded her physical and mental awareness, explaining that although stunt doubles assisted during choreography rehearsals, the cast embraced the challenge of executing the complex sequences themselves on set. She praised the camaraderie among her co-actors, highlighting how the physically demanding set allowed her to thrive creatively.
Vettuvam centers on a rural gangster revered as a modern-day Robin Hood who surrenders to the police to evade bitter rivals, only to confront far more perilous corruption and brutality inside the prison system.
Dhulipala first earned critical acclaim with Anurag Kashyap’s Raman Raghav 2.0 and the hit drama series Made in Heaven. Her career spans diverse multilingual blockbusters, including Goodachari, Major, Moothon, Kurup, Mani Ratnam’s two-part historical epic Ponniyin Selvan, and the espionage thriller The Night Manager. She recently transitioned to global Hollywood cinema with the Dev Patel-directed action feature Monkey Man.
