Mangalore’s bubbly girl next door, Shwetha Srivatsav, recently won the title of the best actress at the recently held Film-fare awards (South India) at Chennai, for her performance in the Kannada movie ‘Fair and Lovely’.
In a tete-a-tete with Newskarnataka’s special correspondent Cindrella Daryani, Shwetha candidly describes her knotty journey of being an actress in this male-dominated film industry, where she recalls that at one point in time, no one was willing to offer her any role!
Interview Excerpts:
What are your upcoming projects? How confident do you feel after winning an award?
My upcoming movie is Kirugoorina Gayyaligalu, the movie is based on a Poornachandra Tejaswi novel. In a year, I commit to do one project and then relax. In the Kannada industry, there are a very few women centric movies. Also, I am planning to direct a movie in the future. I am currently drafting its script.
I have chosen this field, so I have to be confident enough. This is my second Film-fare award; therefore I am happy and confident about my work. I believe in quality than quantity.
How do you choose your projects? What are the key points that you see in the script before signing the project?
I look at my role, and its requirements; second is the director. I should believe in him; third is the team I would be working and fourth is the production house. These are the crucial features that I always look at before signing any project.
Tell me one director/producer you always wanted to work with in both Kannada and Telugu?
Suman Kittoor, is the director whom I wanted to work. Also, if I get a chance I would like to work with the Farhan Akhtar and Irrfan Khan. I am willing to work with all the Kannada super stars.
Where do you feel more comfortable in acting Telugu or Kannada or, etc?
Language is not a barrier for me. I can work and act in a film of any language.
Bollywood is spoken of as a male-dominated industry. Is the same here too?
Yes, the South film industry is very male dominated. Personally, for me it was very challenging to step into it and get roles. I am from a non-acting background; many discouraged me, but I was firm that I should work as an actress and I did it.
Many Bollywood actresses are willing to work with the South Film industry to build their career. Does it create a pressure or competition for south actors?
I do not take such competition seriously. As many girls have their own dreams to excel so have I. They come and go, but I believe in my talent and abilities. People love my work and like to hear my dialogues in Kannada, they love the way I deliver it.
Would you like to take up bold scenes/roles?
I am not comfortable with bold scenes or exposing skin.
Is the film industry safe for girls—Kannada, Telegu, etc? What kind of pressure is there, if one becomes a part of this industry?
A good team is very important for a girl’s comfort zone in this industry—from producers, directors to all round team. Hence, choosing a good team is an important element. Financial-spiritual-physical-moral all these types of pressures generally prevail in the industry.
What challenges do you see in a career of an actress after she is married? How difficult is it to maintain the career? Or do you think that marriage brings a break to her career?
As a girl you choose a partner, but it doesn’t mean you devote your life to him. That is what I believe is equal partnership. I do not want to comment on my personal life, but actresses like Shabhana Azmi, Sharmila Tagore, Kareena Kapoor Khan, etc have proven that marriage is not a hindrance in an actress’ life.
