Mayabazar 2016 was a dream come true for me: Chaithra Rao

Has the lockdown given you time to bond with family, considering your otherwise hectic schedule?
Lockdown has made me learn that I can stay at home for a longer period of time and just relax with my loved ones, doing nothing. I am a person who doesn't like to stay at home beyond two days. Hence, this was a strange thing to note (laughs). But, it's good to spend time with family members now. And being around family has always been something I love, since they are an extremely important part of my life. In fact, when I am back from work if I don't see my parents I just panic.

Your social media page is proof that you are quite into dance and theatre. Tell us more...

I think I started dancing when I was five or six-year-old. I used to see my cousin dancing and that inspired me. My mother made me join Bharatnatyam classes. That's how my journey started.


You've said that an episode of

Jodi Hakki

had caught Radhakrisha’s attention for

Mayabazar

. How special has the Jodi Hakki journey been?

Jodi Hakki has been a special journey. It's where I learnt acting and other technical aspects of shooting. I also made some really good friends through the serial.
What about the Mayabazar experience? How easy or difficult was it to play your character?
Honestly,

Mayabazaar

was not really easy for me and I was quite nervous acting with the immensely talented and famous star cast. I have always loved

Vasishta Simha

sir's voice and admired

Raj B Shetty

sir's acting skills. Working with them was like a dream come true for me and I used to wonder whether I was dreaming or actually acting alongside them in the movie. I just couldn't believe what was happening. Mayabazaar was a dream come true for me.

You have come a long way from being a child artiste in

Manase O Manase

to the big screen. Your thoughts...

Actually, I always wanted to be a dancer and I thought that my dancing skills were something that would make me famous and probably the country will know me as a dancer. But then acting in Manase O Manase came to me as a boon and I have no regrets in taking it up. I have indeed come a long way.
Is it just going to be films from now on or will serials also be a part of your acting journey?
Now dancing has become a hobby and acting is definitely what I am looking forward to. I am just looking for good projects and they could either be from television or films. Wherever I get a good opportunity, I will take it up.
Any skill you learnt during lockdown?
Oh Yes. I used to draw, sketch and paint during my school days. I have picked up on those hobbies. Also, I never thought I would start enjoying baking and cooking because I was never interested in those things. So I am surprised that I can cook (laughs).

Any new projects for 2020?
I have two films, Tom and Jerry and Arabi. Both are on hold because of the lockdown and I am waiting for it to be lifted so that my fans can watch me on screen soon.