Odisha’s Malkangiri girl makes debut in Telugu movie ‘Garaga’ as lead actress

These days, the residents of MV 75 village under Kalimela block in tribal-dominated Malkangiri district are cock-a-hoop. They are happy because Monica Samaddar, a girl from their area, is acting as a lead actress in a Telugu movie titled ‘Garaga’.

Monica is presently busy shooting for the film at different locations. While getting an opportunity to act in the film industry, and by extension Tollywood, has never been a walk in the park, the opportunity to act in ‘Garaga’ as a lead actress didn’t come to Monica on a silver platter as well.

Her father, Goutam Samaddar is a small businessman and her elder brother is working for a Hyderabad-based company. Born in a Bengali family, Monica did her Plus II at a private residential college. Then she flew to Hyderabad to learn dance. Going to give a wing to her wish to be a dancer, her brother got her admitted to ‘HY Dance Studios’, a dance institution in Hyderabad. 

This acted as a springboard for her career. 

On the strength of her style of dance and acting skills, offers to act in short films started pouring in. And, there was no looking back for her. Eventually, the offer to act in ‘Garaga’ came to her. 

“The film is an out-and-out action movie. Srinivasa Rao is in the main lead. I am very happy to work with him and others,” said Monica. 

The film is being produced under the banner of Sri Srinivasa Creations. The other stars featured in the movie are Dr Chadalavada Haribabu, Rambabu, Ramaswamy, Chennakesava, Bhavani, Vijaya, Ravan Lankeshwar, Kali Charan, Ravi Babu, Meera and Rahiman.