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Tell
us about your background
I
was born in Haridwar and we moved to Delhi when I was a kid. I
did my schooling in DPS (Delhi Public School). I completed my
second year of graduation at Lady Shriram College (LSR) New Delhi.
I am into my third year now.
Tell
us about LSR College.
It's
the most happening college in Delhi. You find cosmopolitan crowd
in my college. We have lots of extracurricular activities and
cultural events happening. It is a strict college as well. You
need to have proper attendance to pass the degree.
What
cultural activities are you interested in?
There
are inter-collegiate festivals, street plays and workshops. I
was a part of a dance team from our college. Dance is the only
thing that actually takes me out of everything and relieves me.
Had
you ever been to Oasis (a cultural festival in BITS, Pilani)?
I
was supposed to go there in my first year. But due to some unavoidable
engagement, I could not go there. Oasis is the best thing that
can happen to you. But I had been to IIT Delhi's cultural festival.
How
did you land up in acting?
It
happened just like that! I was learning Kathak from Guru Sobha
Narayanji. Some guys were looking for a girl to be featured in
their music album on 30th of December 2000. They were searching
for a girl for the past two months and 30th December was the dead
line for them. I was supposed to be at Jaipur on that day. But
I got my ticket cancelled and stayed in Delhi for some strange
reason. Those guys got my contact from my Guru Sobha Narayanji.
The next thing I knew was that I was selected for the music video.
That video was 'Chalti Kyon Hawa' by Renu Nathan and BMG
produced that video.
The
directors of Istam contacted me, as they liked me in that
video. I started working for Istam. During the starting of
'Istam', I was not sure of my capabilities. The moment
I began my career as an actress, I was living every moment of
it - learning so much - and being myself.
After
the release of Istam, I was back to Delhi. I was cool about it.
I thought that I was back to my life and started attending college.
Then I was approached by Usha Kiron movies and I signed a Hindi
film titled - Tujhe Meri Kasam (Hindi remake of Nuvve
Kavali). Since the banner of Tujhe Meri Kasam and Istam
is same, I was very comfortable. It was fun as well.
During
that period, I had done two commercial ads with Mr. Rajeev Menon.
First one was the Tamil ad for Coke with Vijay and another one
was Ponds ad. Then Santosham people were looking for a
fresh girl. The most exciting thing was that Nag was working in
that film and I had been a fan of Nag since the release of Shiva
(Hindi). I tell you, he is THE guy! And everybody likes him in
the industry. I really enjoyed doing that amazing role of Bhanu.
Then
I was signed for Nuvve Nuvve. The story of this film is
very good. And the director Trivikram is amazing. The producer
Ravi ji is a sweet guy.
Tell
us about your role in Chenna Kesava Reddy?
That
role is a very small one. But it's a very peppy role again. She
is very stubborn and she is from a rich family. Her father is
very powerful. She is seen money and power. Every guy is ready to
do anything for her, but the hero is not like that. He is very different
in style and has indifferent attitude towards her. She falls in
love with that guy.
Tell
us about your character in 'Nuvve Nuvve'?
Name
of my character in this film is 'Anjali'. She is very bubbly.
She is happy and satisfied with whatever she has. She is very
close to her father. Her father can do anything for her. The film
is all about how she falls in love with this guy - Tarun. The
director gave strict instructions not to reveal the story to you.
I am helpless (giggles)
Are
you doing any other Bollywood projects?
I
am also doing a Hindi film 'Thoda Tum Badlo aur Thoda Hum'.
This film is a remake of Telugu 'Anandam'. Usha Kiron is
producing this film. I am paired up with Arya Babbar. It's a lovely
story.
Your
birthday did not have any significance till a couple of years
back. But, the last year '11th September' turned out to be a day
of global tragedy. Any comments?
(Giggles).
People called me on that day and wished me Happy Birthday Shriya.
But, we were really sad about what happened today. I know that
people can't celebrate their birthday for the next 10 years, if
you were born there. For them, it's horrible. Whatever has to
happen has happened. It was a sad day. I switched on my television
set and I felt like watching a Hollywood action film. It was hard
to believe that it was all happening. Last year, this day was
very bad.
Who
are the most influential persons to you?
My
mom. She influenced me from the day I was born. She loved me so
much. She always supported me. She is everything for me. Whatever
I am, every inch of me is because of her. She is the only person
who kept me down - to keep me level headed. I should be thankful
to God for giving me a mother like her. The second most influential
figure to me is my Kathak teacher Sobha Narayan. She taught me
a lot.
You
study in a girl's college? Don't you feel like missing fun with
guys?
(Giggles)
No! Guys would be missing the fun of having me in their college!!
Being in a girl's college, you get to realize the essence of being
woman and enjoy the power of being a woman.
So,
you end up being a feminist?
It's
about bringing my own personality out. It talks about what I am.
You have to be strong. I don't believe in the point that women
are stronger than men or men are stronger than women. Men and
women should coexist and live together. Woman and man combine
together to make a family.
What
is secret behind your glowing and smooth skin?
I
hardly take care about my skin. There are a lot of climatic changes,
which affect your skin. The only thing I do is drinking lot of
water. And I stay away from the horrible skin care products that
flood the market. I use homemade stuff using natural extracts.
Tell
us about your future films?
I
am currently working for 'Chenna Kesava Reddy', 'Nuvve
Nuvve' and 'Nee Manasu Naaku Telusu'. I have not signed
any new projects, but I might be working in Ravi Kishore's next
venture, which is based on Hindi film 'Tum Bin'.
After
the hit 'Santosham', you have become the hottest heroine. How
do you feel about it?
Honestly
speaking, I don't know that. You told me now for the first time.
You work hard for the whole day and at the end of the day it feels
very nice to be appreciated and recognized.
What
are your long-term plans?
I
don't plan for tomorrow and you are asking me for my long term
plans. I take life as it comes.
What
is your childhood dream?
I
wanted to become a classical dancer and I learnt Kathak.
What
is special about Kathak?
Kathak
is basically derived from a word - Katha (Story) Kehna
(Telling). Over a period of time Katha Kahna got shortened into
Kathak. The expressions and hand movements in Kathak are very
simple and soft. Costumes are very natural and are very near to
common man's life. There are lot of good foot movements. We love
Taal a lot. We love to go with the rhythm. Anything and everything
can be performed in kathak including Ghazals etc.
Tell
us about most-touching incident in your college?
There
is this girl called Divya in our LSR College. She is a special
child in our college. She has a problem with speaking. She cannot
walk. She is very slow at expressing anything. She is the sweetest
girl in our college. She directs plays and she works in theater.
She is extremely intelligent and brilliant at academics. Our college
supported her. But she never needed any support. She could do
everything herself.
I
acted in a street play in Delhi that was directed by Divya. Divya
also acted in it as her real self. I acted as a friend of her.
The play starts with me hating her that - she cant walk like me,
she cant speak like me, she cant dance like me, so don't call
her to our party. During the next few minutes my character understands
that she is special, different and beautiful in her own way. The
play ends with my character realizing how special she is. We used
to perform that street play every day at various locations in
New Delhi. That play really moved me.
Do
you have a boy friend?
(Giggles)
I had lots of crushes and lots of infatuations. I liked lots of
people. I have never been totally in love with any one. But those
crushes and infatuations never matured into love. So, I never
had a boy friend.
I
do have a big friend's gang, which also consists of guys. I was
little fat and I did not look the way I look now. So may be that
was also one of the reasons why I did not have a boyfriend (giggles).
Tell
us what makes you fall in love?
You
never know when you fall in love and how. It just happens. There
is no logic or rationale behind what you like. I observed you
wearing Tantra T shirts in a couple of occasions I met you, which
means that you like Tantra. But you might not have a valid reason
to justify your liking. Love is also just like that.
I
don't believe in girls who say that a guy has to look good and
handsome to fall in love.
What
kind of books do you read?
The
last good book I read was 'The bridges of Madison Country'.
My all time favorite book is 'Gone with the wind'. I love
books by Jeffery Archer. He is so cute!
Who
are your favorite actors and actresses?
I
like Amitabh Bachhan and Shah Rukh Khan. Madhuri Dixit is my favorite
actress. Madhubala is my all time favorite. Madhu Bala is one
heroine whom you can't compare with anybody. She is unparalleled.
How
does the name idlebrain.com sound to you?
It's
a sweet word. It's a cool one, which makes you think about what
this guy is trying to say through that name.
Do
you want to say anything to the visitors of idlebrain.com?
Trust
yourself. There is God in you. Work hard and party harder. A bit
of fragrance always clings to your hand and gives you roses.
Note:
We would like to thank Sri Sravanthi Ravi Kishore for arranging
this interview with Shriya on the eve of her birthday.
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