'My fingers are crossed'

Candid chat

A fresh face in Sandalwood, actor Kavitha is excited about her upcoming project where she will be seen as a school girl. This youngster, who plays a significant character in ‘Srinivasa Kalyana’ expected to release in September, is a bit nervous yet elated. In a tete-a-tete with Tini Sara Anien, the actor sheds light on the project and her role.

How did you bag the role?

I have been acting on the small screen for three years. I hosted a game show where I got noticed by actor cum director M G Srinivas. He contacted the channel to connect with me. When I met him, I told him about the serial and he was surprised. He said he wouldn’t have contacted me for the role if he knew about the serial. (Laughs) I told him that I was glad he didn’t know about it.

How different is it to act on the big screen?

The small screen taught me how to act and express varied emotions on camera. People on the serial set have always treated me as family. Though ‘Srinivasa Kalyana’ is a film, it didn’t seem different that way, as M G Srinivas made sure that I felt comfortable and confident. Apart from being a good director and actor, he is also a great human being. He was respectful towards everyone’s views and would clearly communicate what he wanted from a scene. But he also gave me the space that I needed and let me work on the role.

Tell us about your role.

I play Akshara in ‘Srinivasa Kalyana’. She is a school girl and showcases innocence in a very cute manner. The way she reacts to every situation is very different — she is a very sober person, cries for the smallest things yet is very possessive. If Akshara feels helpless, she cries. I found the role very interesting.

How close are you to your character?

It was when I enacted the role that I realised I’m still a child deep within. I was Akshara off screen and onscreen and was kidding with people on the set. I am like Akshara — if I don’t have a clear idea about something, I don’t accept it.

An interesting incident that happened on the set...

In a particular scene, Balu (portrayed by Srinivas) lies to Akshara and she realises this and slaps him. When the scene was being shot, Srinivas came closer than expected and I actually slapped him unknowingly.

Srinivas was in shock for a few minutes but he kept acting. My expression was also of complete shock. But it was later that we realised that the scene wasn’t being recorded. Whenever Srinivas thinks of a playful joke or imagines me hitting anyone, he narrates this incident loudly.

Your expectations from the movie.

I am more nervous than excited. I am not sure what to expect as it is something
entirely different from what I have done till now. The audience has accepted me
for my role in the serial, but I am wondering what they will think of my character in the movie. My fingers are crossed.