'Actors are always judged'

Bhavana Rao is a bundle of nerves yet at her happiest best. And why not? The artiste who had two releases this Friday, ‘Dayavittu Gamanisi’ and ‘Satya Harishchandra’, is keeping her fingers crossed. While she isn’t worried about being compared between the roles, she hopes that she will get noticed for the variety she has explored. In a candid chat with Tini Sara Anien, she sheds light on her roles and acting in general.

What is on your mind right now?
I cannot put it in words. It’s been a crazy month with two releases on one day. It was unexpected. I was scared in the beginning but my mind has settled down now. I know that the movies are different; one is a comedy and the other an anthology.

Tell us a bit about the movies.
It’s the script of ‘Dayavittu Gamanisi’ that pulled me to it. The whole fact that there were four stories coming together to form the movie is exciting. I play Priya, a frustrated wife who is home alone and unhappy. Many will connect to my role. ‘Satya Harishchandra’ is a comedy and I play Jaya, who is on the search for something in Portugal. The script changes by the lies I say in the movie.

Which role was more challenging?
‘Dayavittu Gamanisi’ was a challenging movie. Priya is always on a quarrel mode, which is absolutely not me. The story is also very realistic. I couldn’t underplay or overplay the role. But, Jaya is a simple girl.

Which one are you closer to?
I immerse myself into every role. But I am not like any of them. The best part of being an actor is playing many roles and not being you.

Raghu vs Sharan... who did you share a better chemistry with?
It was a different formula with both of them. Raghu is a very chilled-out guy. Sharan is a hyperactive person. He is always jumping and brimming with energy. It can be really hard to match up to his energy levels. Just before my shot while I would be rehearsing my lines, he would come and crack a joke and lighten up the mood.

Has being a theatre actor affected movies?
I’m always told by my directors to not open my eyes so wide (laughs)! On the stage one has to be more expressive but one has to more realistic than dramatic on screen.

When you hear ‘Action’, what is the first thing on your mind?
To do justice to my role. I don’t think about anything else apart from delivering my lines well. 

What about a film makes you nervous?
The reviews make me nervous. Actors are always judged. I need to have a connect with the audience and if that doesn’t happen in a movie, it scares me.

How do you keep yourself sane when stressed out?
A good nap and some good music is all I need to feel better.

A genre you always wanted to explore?
I want to do a sports-related biopic.

Something you will never do for a role?
Shave my head. I love my hair a lot!