'Acting is serious business'

The shooting for actor Aishwarya Arjun’s debut project in Kannada ‘Prema Baraha’ is proceeding at a brisk pace. The young actor says her role is something any actor would have loved to work on because, according to her, it is a perfect combination of style, versatility and intensity. She dons the role of a journalist in the movie with a love story for a backdrop. Aishwarya says the concept of love has been given a different twist. She adds that her character has given her a lot of scope for performance, which is exactly what she was looking for in her debut. In an interview with Nina C George, the actor shares her experience of working on the project.  

What got you to sign on the dotted line? 

The script is definitely what impressed me. I essay the role of a journalist and I think this would be any actor’s dream role because the character is very intense. It’s a very challenging role. 

Have you signed any other project? 

I haven’t signed any other project because ‘Prema Baraha’ is a big one for me. I would like to complete it before I move on. People have been curious about my work and I have been getting offers from Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil languages but I prefer to concentrate on my debut for now. 

Who has been your biggest influence? 

My parents have undoubtedly inspired me. I have picked up the best in both of them. I am fortunate to have had a wonderful childhood. I‘ve got my mental strength from my father Arjun Sarja, who isn’t easily shaken. In all these years, I’ve never seen him take work home and no matter what pressure he is under, he never carries it home. I hope to strike that perfect work-home balance.
 

Coming from a family of actors, are you under any kind of pressure? 

I have never been under any kind of pressure. I would say that it is more a responsibility than pressure to do well. I am doing what I love and I am following my heart, so there’s no question of coming under pressure. 

Do you believe in competition? 

I have become highly competitive over the last few years. I’ve always worked to be the best version of myself. There have also been times when other people’s work has inspired me to do better but I don’t believe in doing better just because someone else is doing well. 

Did the workshops in acting help you? 

The acting classes and workshops that I attended were an eye-opener because they made me realise that my passion truly lay in acting. As a child, I would spend a lot of time before the mirror, trying to imitate somebody and my father has preserved videos of these. Acting is serious business.  

What took you so long to enter the Kannada film industry?  

I was waiting for the right script to make my debut in Kannada. A lot of people thought I would easily enter the film industry because of my lineage but it’s not so. I have wisely chosen my projects without rushing into anything. I wanted the right platform to make my debut.