Hyderabad: Veteran character actress Pragathi, widely recognized for her versatile roles in Telugu cinema, has made a mark in the field of powerlifting. After taking a brief hiatus from films, she focused on fitness and gradually transitioned to competitive powerlifting, participating in district, state, and national competitions over the past two years and consistently winning gold medals.
Recently, Pragathi achieved international success at the Asian Open and Masters Powerlifting Championship in Turkey, securing four medals. She won a gold medal in deadlift and silver medals in bench press, squat, and overall performance. She shared the news on social media, where videos of her achievements have gone viral, earning widespread praise and congratulations from fans and followers.
Pragathi, 49, has had a celebrated career in cinema, playing a wide range of supporting roles as a wife, mother, and sister. Born in Ulavapadu, Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh, she began as a dubbing artist before earning a lead role in the Tamil film Veetla Visheshanga. She later acted in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu films, gaining acclaim as a character actress known for her nuanced performances.
Alongside her acting career, Pragathi has prioritized fitness, initially training at the gym and then focusing on powerlifting. Her success at international competitions comes after dominating local and national contests in Hyderabad, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, making her a prominent example of an artist excelling in both cinema and sport.