Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman on TV 2020: Divi Vadthya

Divi Vadthya was making the most of her lockdown, learning badminton and new languages when we sent her into a state of utter disbelief. We informed the actress, who oozes confidence and sex appeal, that she’s the Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman on Television for 2020, sending her into a tizzy. “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect Hyderabad Times to ring me up on day to tell me I’m the most desirable woman on TV.It’s surreal and I can’t believe that it’s happened,” she said, excitedly.
Divi made a splash on the small screen as a contestant on popular reality show Bigg Boss Telugu 4 and even caught the attention of Megastar Chiranjeevi. With her sultry looks and a never-say-die attitude, the actress has won hearts across the Telugu states. In a freewheeling chat, Divi speaks about her idea of desirability, the secret behind her new-found success and becoming Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman on Television for 2020. Excerpts:
Congratulations Divi. You are the winner of this year’s Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman 2020. How does it feel?
I’m in shock right now. It’s overwhelming and I have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now. It feels good to be vindicated for all the hard work that I have put in through the year — both on myself and on my craft. The tag of Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Woman is huge and it will open up new opportunities for me. I’m really excited right now.
Was it harder to stay desirable and work on yourself because of the pandemic, considering you spent so much time cooped up indoors?
The pandemic came at the worst possible time for me. I had just started my career and was just getting offers to act in films and television. So when COVID happened, I thought my career would be finished. Thankfully, Bigg Boss came my way and time just flew. Now when I look back, I think my career changed for the better during the pandemic. It made more people stay at home and watch me on television and I’m grateful for all the love that I have received.
What is the one thing that makes you desirable and helps you stand out from the rest?
There are a lot of beautiful women out there and I’ve been called beautiful too. People have looked at me and said, “Arre em undi ra pilla (how gorgeous does this girl look?)” But more than my beauty, I think people admire my character. I’d like to think of myself as a beauty with brains. Beauty can change with time but your intelligence stays with you and I’ve always tried to make an effort to be more knowledgeable.
What is your idea of desirability?
The thing is, you always look at somebody else and how you find another person desirable but you never think of yourself. When I decided to look at myself, everything changed. Every girl is beautiful, it’s just about accepting yourself for who you really are and embracing your qualities fully. You need to look at yourself in the mirror and start loving yourself, recognise your special quality and look to shine. Self-love is most important, because people will come and go, but you have to live with your own self.
What do you find desirable in a man?
Height (laughs). I’ve always been attracted to taller men. I’m 5’8 myself so the guy should be at least 6’2 or 6’3. The first thing I notice when I look at a guy is his height. The second thing is his intelligence. I’m sapiosexual so it’s very important for me that the guy has some knowledge and is intelligent. He should be hard-working, but he should also give me equal attention. He should share his knowledge with me and be with me through highs and lows.
Wow, that’s some list. Have you found such a guy yet?
No, I’m still single and I’m happy about it. When you’re single, you have a lot of time and space to work on yourself, creativity, career, etc. Although I must admit, I’m getting bored now so I’m open to being in a relationship.

You became a household name thanks to your stint in Bigg Boss Telugu 4. In fact, Megastar Chiranjeevi himself took notice of you and gave you a break in his upcoming project. How did that feel?
When I got into Bigg Boss, I had already acted in five different films but none of them released. So nobody knew of my existence. The reality show gave me a lot of attention and the way people appreciated my performance was extremely heartwarming. But the cherry on top was when Chiranjeevi garu said he was impressed with my work and offered me a role in his upcoming film. I’ll cherish that moment forever.
Do you think there are now more opportunities for Telugu women to make a mark in showbiz?
Directors are giving more opportunities to Telugu women, especially during the pandemic, because they know the language, stay in Hyderabad, etc. But more importantly, filmmakers are going beyond just looks while casting for films and are recognising talent. Looking like a glam doll isn’t enough. Looks can be changed with hair and makeup. What matters in the end is your acting skills and how you express yourself.
What is the secret behind your desirability? Surely you must’ve worked hard on yourself.
Oh yes, I constantly worked on my fitness. I did a lot of cycling and other cardio exercises. I also do a lot of yoga and meditation. Only if you’re calm within the inside, will you glow on the outside. It’s important to not take needless stress and live in the present. Also, I’ve constantly tried to learn new things and reinvent myself. I’m learning Tamil and Hindi and trying to master them. I’m also learning badminton and hope to get better at it with each passing day. The desire to improve yourself learn new skills will help me stand out from the rest.
What’s next?
I’ve got a list of projects lined up. Apart from my film with Chiranjeevi garu, I’ve also shot for a film called Lambasingi, apart from a couple of web series. I’m really looking forward to the pandemic situation easing up and theatres reopening again. As a young girl, I’ve gone to theatres and aspired to be a heroine someday. It’s my dream to see myself on the 70 MM screen. I really hope that happens soon.