Even tough she’s done only a few films, Sriya Reddy has managed to leave a lasting impact with her choice of roles and how she’s portrayed them. The actress, who is now part of KGF filmmaker Prashanth Neel’s Salaar, shares her experience working on the film, her co-star Prabhas, how she chooses roles and more. . .
THE RETURN TO FEATURE FILMS...After I got married, I did Andava Kaanom, a brilliant film that hasn’t seen the light of day. Now, I’m doing a feature film, and I’d call it ‘the mother of all comebacks’. The shoot has been wrapped up, and it was an exciting and tough journey. My character will be as wild as imagination can run. You can’t really say if it is a positive or negative role because the way Prashanth has visualised it is so different. He’s created a new world, and we are all characters playing a part in this world. Only he knows what genre the film falls under. It’s an interesting way of filmmaking and a unique approach. The dialogue itself is quite different from what I have seen and heard until now. He is particular about the look of even the most minor characters.
‘I’M VERY PASSIONATE AND EMOTIONAL ABOUT MY CHARACTERS’I am not in the film industry for fame or money. I am here for the sheer passion of acting. I have a fire within me, one that loves to perform in front of the camera, so I want a role that complements it. Even in my web series Suzhal, there was an ensemble cast, but my character Regina was able to stand out. That’s the kind of characters I need. I will be part of a film only when I am 100 per cent convinced that I can bring in my A game. I am very passionate and emotional about my characters, and that’s why I take time to sign films.
‘I GAVE PRASHANTH NEEL A VERY HARD TIME’There was a lot of drama that happened on the set, but Prashanth was so patient with me and guided me by saying, ‘Just trust me’. Salaar is my comeback film. My body was stiff and I had a mental block. Working on such a big canvas was intimidating, and the character was tougher for me as a comeback role. But Prashanth was clear about what he wanted. Only a secure and confident man can write something so fabulous for a woman. I do not believe that I am a great actor. But I know that whatever is given to me, even if it’s a 15-minute role, I will make the most of it. I try to be that character in real life, too; only then will I be able to bring that person to screen.
THIMIRU THE CAREER BESTIt’s been 16 years since Thimuru, and people still remember me as Eswari, the character that I played in it. At that time, I didn’t care that it was a negative role. For me, it was a challenge and I needed to make the most of it
WOMEN FANS’There is the Veyil and Kanchivaram persona on one side... soft, sensitive, and emotional. But on other side, when I am being pushed and have no option, I become strong and courageous. I am either white or black; I can’t be in the middle. Because of how I look, people think I have a strong personality. But you have to get to know me better to see who I am. I am a brownskinned girl. I work out like a maniac. I have more women fans for many reasons
‘I WORKOUT TO BETTER’‘I THINK I HAVE MOREYou can work out to feel better; don’t take up a fitness activity only with the motive to lose weight. I work out to make myself happy and strong, and it gives me superhero-like strength
‘BEAUTIFUL ROLES ARE BEING WRITTEN FOR WOMEN IN K’WOOD’Some people hated me and were scared of me after seeing Eswari in Thimiru, but now, I see memes where people say that she should have got the love she deserved. Today, beautiful roles are being written for women... characters that push boundaries and act on their own irrespective of what society or people might think. Some people in our country still think that women should behave in a particular way, talk in a particular way, and sit in particular way. But they do not understand what we want. We want to push boundaries, be independent, and liberated. That’s how the roles are being written, too.
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