On the path to glory

Usha Paramesh didn’t intend on becoming an actor, but now she can’t imagine doing anything else. “It’s challenging being an actor but I don’t think I can do anything else. I’d like to learn the various styles of dance, contemporary and traditional, but I don’t know whether that’s possible,” she says.

Known for her role as Kriti in the popular Kannada television series ‘Ashwini Nakshatra’, Usha is all set to play her second lead role in ‘Jothe Jotheyalli’. Talking about the two shows and her journey into acting, she says, “I used to be an anchor, but I quit. For a while I stayed at home, until a friend suggested I audition for a role in ‘Saagara Sangama’. I didn’t think it would hurt so I tried out for the female lead. But because of circumstances, I was cast as the hero’s little sister.”

The show, ‘Saagara Sangama’, didn’t last long, but Usha got a second chance when she auditioned for the role of second female lead in ‘Ashwini Nakshatra’. In the show, she plays a negative role opposite actor Jayaram Karthik. “After the first show ended, I was asked to audition for ‘Ashwini Nakshatra’. They already had someone for the role of Kriti but once they saw my audition, I was given the role. I got the call the same day I auditioned, and next day I was asked to get my passport and visa ready because we would be shooting abroad. The very next day, I began shooting.”

Why did she decide to start with a negative role? “Although Kriti comes off as a negative character to the audience, I don’t think the same. She is someone who is in love and realises that a little late. And when people are in love, they tend to do crazy things. Also, as a heroine, one just has to cry and laugh. I get to emote a variety of emotions, from anger and remorse to happiness and more; I’m required to put up a pretence and be someone I’m not,” says Usha. Does she speak from experience? “Yes” is all she will say.

On her character in ‘Jothe Jotheyalli’, she says that it’s the complete opposite of her previous role. “The girl I portray is bubbly, talkative, ‘bindass’, and takes everything as it comes. She has a history of abuse by her father, which she brushes aside and stays happy.”

Now that the world has seen her talent, she is being flooded with movie and television show offers.

“I’m not in a position to commit to anything at the moment. But I do plan to enter the film world soon. Before I do, I want to learn something about being an actor. At the moment, I don’t think I know anything about acting – from camera techniques to how to make a pause and deliver a dialogue. Once I learn the ABCs of acting, I will consider films.”

What kind of films is she on the lookout for? “I want to do a historical film! But the roles have to be challenging. I also want to play a journalist as I have studied journalism. Most people think that journalists only lookout for breaking news and hype even the smallest bit of news. I want to get rid of this negative impression,” she sums up.