Aisshwarya Nag's initial films didn't really do that well at the box office. It was Jolly days directed by M D Sridhar which actually got her the recognition. Before she could get noticed, she disappeared from the industry for academic purposes. "I had to complete my graduation which was equally important to me. I could not balance studies and movies together. It actually took away a few years of mine. Now that I am done with my studies, I can concentrate on what I have always liked to do," said Aisshwarya.
The actress who made a come back has film offers pouring in already. Among them are 'Challa Pilli', 'Biscuit', 'Loosegalu' and 'Paatiasu' directed by Nanda Kishore and 'Ziddi' along with Prajwal Devaraj and Aindrita Ray. "I do have a couple of offers and I can accept most of them only if my dates match," she said.
When it comes to choices of roles, she is trying to explore different characters in each of her movies, she says. "With the variety in my platter, I am making sure that I am not getting stereotyped. With my current projects, I will be playing the roles of a village girl, bubbly role, hyper active, a comedy genre and of course a TV reporter in one of the films." explained Aisshwarya as she added, "Though the story is very important, I am not someone who will send back people without even looking at the script. I will be happy if it is coming from a well-known banner but at the same time I won't rule out any production house if the role is good," she pointed out.
Though her gradual transition has helped her fetch decent films, she hasn't been able to work with top stars in Kannada industry.
"Most newcomers prefer to take on the industry by working with top actors as you are recognised and the performance garners a lot of attention. But we can't be sitting and waiting in queue hoping to work with them.
Preferably for youngsters like me, good roles is the bridge. This is what I should concentrate on," said Aisshwarya
The actress is aware about the pros and cons of being in filmdom as her mother, Prashanti Nayak had a brief stint in the Kannada industry. "I did get the urge to act from my mother. Though I am a Kannadiga, I was raised in Muscat and films came to me suddenly. So initially, she did give me some tips especially the dos and dont's. Now that I am enjoying the limelight, I am getting pretty much comfortable," she said.
However, she is also aware of the stiff competition and she considers it as motivation. "Though we have quite a few number of senior actresses in the industry, I never compete with them. For me actresses like Ramya have always been an inspiration. Even newcomers have a lot of scope right now. It is better not to be in the rat race as I feel team work will help us do better," she said.
Right now the actress wants to clarify two things. "Rumour has it that I always go abroad which isn't the case. I am very much here. I just go home to visit my family and come back. Secondly I am a glamorous girl and can don several roles and not just stick to sentimental ones," she stated.