15-Year-Old Actress Embodies Gandhi's Legacy, Wins National Award

In 2025, 15-year-old Sukriti Veni Bandreddi made her acting debut in the film "Gandhi Tatha Chettu" and won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. The daughter of filmmaker Sukumar, Sukriti played a village girl named Gandhi who takes on the responsibility of protecting a cherished tree through nonviolent resistance.

Reflecting on her experience, Sukriti explains that winning the National Award was a surreal moment, but what stayed with her most was learning to embody the values her character stood for. The film, rooted in Gandhian principles of truth and fearlessness, required Sukriti to not only act but also shave her head for the role.

Sukriti believes that cinema can be a powerful bridge between history and the imagination of a new generation. She emphasizes that for her generation, movies are a meaningful way to connect with Gandhian ideas and values, which she feels are still highly relevant today. Sukriti hopes that more films like "Gandhi Tatha Chettu" will be made to keep Gandhi's teachings alive and inspire young people with positive values.

Despite the national recognition, Sukriti remains grounded, stating that her primary focus is on her high school studies. However, she is open to taking on more roles that carry strong social messages, as long as they align with her values and principles.