Gal pals in the Kannada film industry

Professional rivalry? What's that? This appears to be the mantra that several of Sandalwood's leading ladies follow these days, as they forge friendships with other heroines, with not just customary greetings at public events, but genuine camaraderie that extends to after-work hours as well. Here's a look at some of the industry's gal pals... JENNIFER KOTWAL AND SHARMIELA MANDRE
“For a very long time after I got into Sandalwood, I was quite the workaholic, flying in from Mumbai, shooting and heading back.Then, on the set of Ee Bandhana, I met Sharmiela, and there was an instant connection.We just couldn't stop talking, and the interesting part is that we never talk about work. Both of us genuinely love food, and each time we meet the highlight is checking out a new eatery. The two of us also love travelling and spas and a lot of other girlie stuff, so I guess it is our similar interests that really got us to bond,“ says Jennifer.
HARIPRRIYA AND TEJASWINI PRAKASH
It was a TV appearance that brought Hariprriya and Tejaswini together. “We met at the studio for an interview and things just started off from there, and we continued to stay in touch. Our outings together are normally about shopping or catching the latest movie in town. But we also get together to sit and chat and indulge in girlie banter, either at my house or hers,“ says Tejaswini.
SHWETA PANDIT AND SINDHU LOKNATH
While Shweta and Sindhu met on the set of Lifeu Ishtene, the duo really hit it off after working together on Case No. 189. “Living in the same neighbourhood also helped,“ says Shweta, adding, “Both of us are very secure about our work.In fact, often, films are offered to her first, then to me, or vice versa. We just believe that what is yours will come to you one way or the other. There is no need to fight for anything. We have a similar outlook in life and that helped us bond. Now, we catch up at least twice a week and roam around town on Sindhu's bike. We just put helmets on and have fun. She is quite the galli guru, and takes me to all the street food joints in town.“
KRITI KHARBANDA, PRANITHA AND ADAH SHARMA
These three ladies are among the newest pals on the block. The actresses, who had been cordial with each other whenever they met at public events, hit it off at a recent film awards function in Malaysia. The fun that began on the flight to the venue, continued during their two-day stay in the foreign city and once back home too. “We were all together, celebrating our industry away from home, and bonded during that trip. It was not a conscious effort, but somehow, we ended up staying in touch after the event as well. Instant messaging platforms on our phones mean that we catch up with each other often. Recently, I caught up with Adah and we watched a movie together. Kriti and I also meet often and have been wanting to go shopping together. The plan is for the three of us to take off on a holiday that will also double as retail therapy,“ says Pranitha.
PARUL YADAV AND RAGINI DWIVEDI
Ragini and Parul have been pally with each other for a while, but the two actresses really hit it off at an awards function in Dubai last year.Ragini, who had an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction at the event, found support in Parul and Lakshmi Manchu, both of whom she stays in touch with frequently. “Since the three of us don't stay in the same city, we try and meet up as often as possible. I travel on work to Mumbai and Hyderabad often and catch up with Parul and Lakshmi. Often, we just sit and chat, or head out to a nice eatery,“ says Ragini, who often puts her new-found friendship on display on her micro-blogging page.