Telugu actress Laya has spoken about the late actress Soundarya in a new interview, sharing memories of the warmth, guidance and affection she received from her, and admitting that the loss still hurts. The interview was published on November 2, 2026.

Laya’s remarks carry a clear sense of respect. Her words reflect the deep admiration she has for Soundarya and the void she continues to feel now that her senior co-star is gone.

A role that came with a connection

Laya spoke about her film career and brought up the Telugu remake of Simhadri, the Sarath Kumar starrer. She clarified that it was not a complete remake. She played a part modeled on the role Bhumika performed in the film.

That conversation led to a more personal connection. Laya revealed that she had played the character Soundarya portrayed in the Kannada remake of Pelli Chesukundam. For Laya, that role left behind a memory she has never forgotten.

The moment Soundarya named her

Laya recalled an interview in which Soundarya was asked which of the emerging heroines would do well in the industry. Soundarya named Laya. Laya said she was overjoyed when she heard the news.

She went to meet Soundarya in person to thank her. Laya said that at the time, the two of them were staying at Prashant Kutir. When she expressed her gratitude, Soundarya brushed it off warmly, asking her why she was thanking her for something like that.

Laya replied that the words meant a lot coming from her. The conversation was simple, but it stayed with her for years.

When Laya told Soundarya that she was going to play the very role Soundarya had played, the older actress offered advice that Laya says changed the way she approached her work.

“It’s fine, do it in your own style, dear. Even if someone tells you to copy it, don’t. You have to do it in your own style.”

Laya said that guidance shaped how she approached the part and her career as a whole. She described it as one of the most valuable lessons she received from anyone in the industry.

Grief that has not faded

The tone of the interview shifts when Laya talks about Soundarya’s absence. She became emotional as she spoke about losing her, saying that the pain has not eased with time.

“She is not here anymore. That is what hurts the most, it still hurts.”

Laya said Soundarya still lives in her heart. Whenever she watches the films they made together, she feels as though Soundarya is still with her. That sense of presence, she suggested, is shared by fans and fellow actors who continue to celebrate the actress’s work.

Her comments reflect how strongly Soundarya’s films continue to live on in the minds of audiences. Years after her death, her performances still serve as a reminder of what she meant to the people who worked alongside her.

Her Hindi debut and what comes next

Laya also touched briefly on her entry into Hindi cinema. She said she took up an opportunity to make a Hindi film, even though it was not a major banner production. She chose to make the most of the chance.

Even so, the emotional memories she shared about Soundarya became the centerpiece of the conversation. For many readers, the interview is less about Laya’s filmography and more about a friendship and mentorship that has outlasted the actress who gave it.

Why this story resonates

Stories like this one tend to draw readers back to older films and to the actresses who shaped them. Laya’s account offers a personal look at Soundarya that goes beyond screen performances. It shows a senior artist who encouraged a younger actress to trust her own voice rather than imitate someone else.

Laya’s words also serve as a reminder of the human side of the film industry, where advice shared between colleagues can stay with a performer for a lifetime. Her reflections are a fresh reminder of the emotional bond that Soundarya built with the people she worked with.

The interview has also reopened conversations among fans about the films Soundarya made and the roles that defined her. Laya’s account gives those fans a rare, first-hand look at the woman behind the performances, and a sense of how deeply she is still missed.

For now, the message from Laya is simple. Soundarya may be gone, but her guidance, her warmth and her work remain part of the people who knew her best.