Chennai, Aug 17 (IANS): Actor Pragya Jaiswal, who was last seen in National Award-winning Telugu film "Kanche", had to learn martial arts and kick-boxing to play a police officer in filmmaker Krishna Vamsi's upcoming Telugu actioner "Nakshatram".

"It's an exciting character. Post 'Kanche', I was waiting for a role to showcase my different abilities and that's precisely why I didn't sign any project in a hurry. I'm really fortunate to be working with legendary director Krishna Vamsi so early on in my career," Pragya told IANS.

In the film, she will be paired with Sai Dharam Tej, who is also donning the khaki.

"I play an ultra glamorous cop. In preparation for the role, I had to train in kick-boxing and martial arts. It's a role with a lot of shades and I've been waiting for a character exactly along these lines. I start shooting from Thursday," she said.

Also starring Sundeep Kishan, the film will see Pragya in two challenging fight sequences.

Announcing Pragya's inclusion in the project, Krishna Vamsi wrote on his Facebook page: "Looking forward to capturing her in sparking frames. Importantly, can't wait to execute two fight sequences specially designed for her. One of the fights is with our hero Sundeep".