After Simple Agi Ondhu Love Story, which was declared a trendsetter in Kannada cinema, Shweta Srivastav is back with her third outing, Fair & Lovely. And looking at her short portfolio, there are not many who doubt that this project of hers will again have a different approach to the script as well as the making.
People have come up with various assumptions about the title, but Shweta claims that the title is not as straight as it seems. “For some Fair & Lovely could easily mean that ‘Shweta is fair and Prem is lovely’. But the film is not that straight; it is revolves around a simple-hearted couple,” she says.
The film’s shoot is on in full swing and according to Shweta, she has been continuously working for 48 hours with just three hours of sleep. “It is all about healthy mind and body. I quite enjoy this long stretch of shooting. We have almost completed 80 per cent of the shoot and we are left with ten days to complete the talky portion after which we will be proceed to the song shoot,” adds the self-confessed workaholic.
Shweta is content to be part of a commercial film and she states that it is stitched with an artistic theme. “The character that I play will easily figure in the wish list of every heroine. Who would not want commercial success?” asks Shweta, who likes to play varied characters.
After Simpleagi... Shweta received many offers but nothing really piqued her interest till Fair & Lovely came to her. “After Simpleagi..., I was offered similar roles. Since I didn’t wish to become a typecast, I waited. In fact I went to the extent of thinking that if nothing came by, I would produce a film on my own. That’s when director Raghuram came up with this project and said, ‘If you are part of this film, I will go ahead with it. Otherwise, I don’t mind dropping it’. He basically wanted an artiste, who is mature enough to handle the character. I was selected first and then the actor came into the picture, which is quite rare in Kannada cinema. When I read the script, I realised the story of Fair... had the same calibre as Simple... and at the same time it was totally different. I don’t want to reveal much about my role, but the audience will be shocked to see me in such a character. This movie too has given me the same importance as the hero,” she says.
Is the success of her last film weighing her down? “Thankfully, I am not carrying the burden of the success of my last film on the sets. I am tensed when I am in front of the camera. But I guess the pressure is always a part of work. I don’t break my head over it. I like the satisfaction I get after shooting for a film. When I am confident, it shows in my work,” she says.