It’s been a year of bold choices and wider horizons: Chaithra J Achar

2025 marked a defining year for Chaithra J Achar, the actress who has steadily expanded her presence beyond Kannada cinema. After impactful performances in Toby and Sapta Saagaradaache Ello: Side B, she strengthened her cross-industry appeal with projects like the Tamil film 3BHK. This year has begun with back-to-back releases Maarnami in Kannada and My Lord in Tamil. With a Telugu debut and more Tamil films on the floors, Chaithra’s rise is both organic and unstoppable — making her a standout Bangalore Times’ Headliner.There’s a certain calm that washes over Chaithra J Achar the moment she lands in Bengaluru. Even after back-to-back re leases, hectic shoots and constant travel, she says the city feels like a warm hug. “I was homesick even while coming for this interview,” she laughs. “The moment I got here, I felt relaxed. It’s like the city resets me,” she says. The actress and singer, and now Bangalore Times’ Headliner, reflects on her journey, her craft and the city that shaped her. Excerpts from a chat: ‘Bengaluru gives you a kind of comfort, confidence and a sense of belonging’ For Chaithra, the city’s welcoming spirit is what sets it apart. “Bengaluru is inclusive. It gives comfort and life to whoever comes here. Most people who move here never want to leave — and that’s the beauty of this place,” she says. Despite working across industries and travelling often, she insists home will always be Bengaluru. “My memories, my people, my rhythm of life — eve rything is here. The city has a calming effect on me.” ‘The city’s open-mindedness shaped my fashion and style’Known for blending modern silhou ettes with timeless pieces, Chaithra credits the city’s mindset for her con fidence to experiment. “I come from a conservative family, but no one stops me from expressing myself. They believe you dress appropriately for the occasion. That open-minded ness is very Bengaluru,” she explains. The encouragement she receives has made a dif ference. “My friends and family are my biggest cheerleaders. Even my mother pushes me to try something new. That support gives me confidence.”‘Success only makes me more grounded’ With projects across industries, she says her foundation will always remain the Kannada lm space. “Whatever opportunities I’m getting outside are because of the lms I did here. People have seen my work in Kannada, and that becomes their reference point,” she says. She feels proud when her performances travel across languages. “It makes me happy that people associate me with a certain quality of lms. But it also makes me more responsible about the choices I make,” she points out. Despite growing recognition, Chaithra believes success has sharpened her perspective. “When you work with more successful people, you realise there is always a bigger tree and a better actor. That thought keeps me grounded,” she says, adding, “I remind myself that maybe someone else could have done the role even better. That pushes me to keep learning.”‘I’m here to explore characters and I want to portray every kind of woman on screen’ For Chaithra, acting is about exploration, not image. “I don’t choose roles thinking I have to give a message. I’m here to entertain and explore characters. I’ll play awed or even dark characters, as long as the lm doesn’t glorify wrongdoing. I want to play every kind of woman. If someone watches a lm and says, ‘That’s exactly like me,’ that’s a win for me as an actor,” she says. The actor admits she hasn’t fully decoded her process. “Before a shoot, I think a lot about the character and ask questions. But once the camera rolls, I just live the moment. And when the director says cut, I’m back to being Chaithra,” she says. “I remember the fun on set, but not what I was thinking during the scene. It’s selective memory — and I hope it stays that way,” she reflects.‘Social media should re ect who you really are’ Chaithra keeps her social media presence honest and low-pressure. “I post what I feel like posting. It’s my personal pro le, and I don’t want to share things that aren’t me,” she says. “My algorithm is full of funny videos, puppies, babies and memes. I avoid negative content — there’s already enough stress outside.” She also runs a photography page where she shares images she clicks during her travels. “It started as a personal archive, but now people say they’re inspired by the name. That makes me happy,” she says.