Deepika Kamaiah, one of the finalists of the Femina Miss India South beauty pageant in 2009, plays the lead role opposite 'Challenging Star' Darshan in the Kannada film Chingari. The film releases this Friday.

Deepika has been modelling for the last five-and-a-half years and is also the winner of the Lycra MTV Style Awards for Bangalore last year.

In this interview with Srikanth Srinivasa, the Bangalore-born and bred Deepika talks about her journey into cinema.

How did you manage to juggle your studies and modelling?

I started modelling when I was in Class 11. I did not allow modelling to affect my studies and managed both smoothly.

I was clear in my mind that I had to get a degree before I looked at modelling or cinema as a career.

How did you get into movies?

During my modelling days, I was offered the Tamil film Anmai Thavarael, directed by Kulandai Velappan. It was a story of human trafficking.

How was it to work with Darshan and Harsha?

I consider myself lucky to get such a fantastic break. I have always admired Harsha who is known to be a stylish director and I loved the way he shot his last two movies.

Chingari has been a good learning experience and Harsha had been very patient with me.

How was the transition from modelling to facing the camera?

I learnt a lot about facing the camera during my modelling days. Initially, I felt nervous when I had to share screen space with Darshan; I was shivering while giving the shot standing next to him.

But I got used to the camera as time passed. Harsha used to make fun of me and laugh at me as I was short of confidence in front of the camera.

What can the audiences expect from Chingari?

Chingari is a brilliant film. Audiences can come out of the theatre with smiles on their faces. The movie has some brilliant sound effects.

What do you plan to pursue in the future -- modelling or cinema?

I am not going to do ramp shows, though I would love to continue to work in commercials. Right now, I am waiting for the right kind of roles in any language and I am going through a number of scripts.