'I was studying for my grade 10 examinations and shooting for Balika Vadhu at the same time. That's when I got the script of Uyyala Jampala. So I was carrying my Physics book in my hand and the script in the other!'
Avika Gor takes on Telugu cinema.
After a successful stint in television, Avika Gor shifted to the Telugu film industry in 2013.
After two films (Uyyala Jampala and Lakshmi Raave Ma Intiki), she will be seen in her third film, Cinema Chuppista Maava, releasing August 14.
The young actress talks to Rediff.com contributor Radhika Rajamani about her latest film.
What made you take up Telugu films?
I come from a conservative family and wanted to do films that were in my comfort zone. Language was not a barrier at all.
I got many scripts in Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada but I was not comfortable with them.
Uyyala Jampala was the cleanest and perfect family film script that I got. The character was also close to my age.
I like South Indian cinema where one can whistle, scream and clap!
How was the experience of working in Uyyala Jampala?
I remember I was studying for my grade 10 examinations when I got the script of Uyyala Jampala.
So I was carrying my Physics book in my hand and the script in the other!
My school really supported me and allowed me to shoot for the film.
It was a lot of fun on the sets of Uyyala Jampala. Everyone treated me as their daughter. They took care of me and ensured that I had time to study.
The film fetched you accolades for your acting...
The character was like how I am in real life. The director asked me to behave like I do in real life.
Why did you sign Cinema Chuppista Maava?
I heard the story after I finished Lakshmi Raave Ma Intiki.
At first, I said no as I had reservations regarding certain things in the film. I asked the director to make the changes and he obliged.
Later, the director told me the changes worked better for the film.
Was the script the deciding factor?
For me, the story, characters, the production team and director matter the most.
My co-stars aren’t that important. But I was told that Raj Tarun and Rao Ramesh would be acting in the film, It was great news as I had acted with them earlier.
Raj Tarun is very supportive. He manages his work without complaining.
What is Cinema Chuppista Maava about?
It is a love story with a twist. The girl’s father and the hero fight like Tom and Jerry.
I play a Bengali girl living in Hyderabad. I observed my Bengali friends and realised that they speak very fast. I realised I had to speak Telugu faster! My prompter was also enthusiastic and thankfully, it worked.
What is it that attracts you to Telugu cinema?
I love the way they work. It is unbelievable. People have a lot of talent.
Have you got any film offers from other film industries?
Yes. I have done a Kannada film coming up this year.
Were you always interested in acting since a child?
I was interested in dancing and wanted to be a choreographer.
How do you juggle your acting career and education?
I can educate myself online.
