'Travel keeps me relaxed'

The Sandalwood artiste, who was recently seen on screen in Pannaga Bharana’s ‘Happy New Year’, is busy as ever shuttling between shooting locations. In a candid chat with Tini Sara Anien, she talks about how she is balancing it all.

You are as busy as you can be. Tell us about your latest projects.

After playing Suma in ‘Happy New Year’, I am excited about my roles in ‘Gultoo’, ‘Chambal’ opposite Sathish Ninasam and ‘Shalini IAS’.

While I will be seen as a computer trainer in ‘Gultoo’, I play an IAS officer in ‘Shalini IAS’. My role in ‘Chambal’ will be a surprise (smiles).

How different is ‘Gultoo’?
Most of the projects I have worked in earlier were hero-oriented. When it comes to ‘Gultoo’, I feel satisfied as an actor as the story and my performance have come out well.

What attracts you to a project?
There are many elements which could convince an actor to take up a role, varying from the production house to the story. Performance-oriented roles are my focus now.

You’ve acted in a number of movies. Which movie do you think got you noticed?
My path into the industry was paved through ‘Inthi Ninna Preethiya’ which garnered much attention. There was no turning back after that. ‘Police Quarters’ and ‘Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu’ were the other projects that made people notice me.

Name some movies which you would have loved to be a part of.
In Hindi, it would definitely be ‘Queen’ and ‘Neerja’. In Kannada, I am glad I got ‘Gultoo’.
The different challenges you have faced as an actor...

When it comes to most films, one listens to a script and agrees to do it. But by the time you’re on the sets, the script would have gone through many edits. This often comes as a surprise. Also, marketing oneself matters a lot in the industry. It is all about how you put yourself out there.

How do you stay sane while shuttling between sets?
It’s all about balancing it out. Be clear about what you want and things will fallin place. I’m not stressed at all (smiles). Travel keeps me relaxed. I travel a lot.

Your favourite travel destinations...
I love heading out to places like Goa, Coorg and Chikkamagaluru. Every outing is a new experience; it teaches you new things about the world and yourself. Nature is the best rejuvenating formula.

An incident that happened on the sets that you still laugh about...
Many scary incidents that could have turned into disasters have become jokes later on. From a fire accident to being stranded in an area with no mobile network, I’ve experienced it all.

Some must-haves in your handbag.
I never step out without my wet tissues, perfume, lip balm and lipstick.

If not an actor, who would you have been?
A writer! I love to pen down my thoughts.