I took a break to complete my studies'

Simple charm

Malayalam actress Bhamaa has now become a familiar face in the Kannada film industry and the actress doesn’t hesitate in admitting that Bengaluru has indeed become her second home, as after Malayalam films, she has signed Kannada films the most.

Bhamaa has come a long way from debut film ‘Modalasala’ in Kannada. She is known for her versatility and that’s precisely why she was offered different roles in all the Kannada films she has worked in thus far –— be it  ‘Shyloo’, ‘Auto Raja’, ‘Barfi’ or even ‘Ondu Kshanadalli’.

Her latest project is the PC Shekar directorial ‘Arjuna’. She plays a very loud but different character in the film. “I play a very lively character which is innocent yet loud. I am paired
opposite Prajwal Devaraj and what’s really nice is that the director would take time off and talk about the character in detail which not many do,” feels Bhamaa.

She gets a little philosophical when she says, “The story traces the life of a man and what happens to him once a woman enters his life. Some people’s lives change for good while for others, it may take a turn for worse. Here, the suspense is not revealed till the end.”   

Bhamaa says that she hasn’t accepted any offers just yet after ‘Arjuna’. “I took a break to complete my studies and now I am ready to start shooting again. People are not wrong when they say that I am a little choosy with my projects. That’s because I want to carry forward my work in both Malayalam and Kannada film industries and that’s why I am careful when I pick my work,” she reasons.  

Bhamaa observes that there was a time when Kannada films had very hero-oriented subjects. “But now, the scene is slowly changing. Importance is being given to subjects based on women and this also gives immense scope for performance-oriented roles,” she explains.

Film buffs have seen Bhamaa in both traditional and modern roles. But she was always more on the traditional side and Bhamaa was keen to break free from this stereotype. She has donned a couple of bold and outgoing characters on screen but she is firm about not wearing too many revealing clothes. “Modernity can be interpreted in different ways and I think I could explore that side as an actor without being too loud,” she signs of.