BANGALORE: There are many talented artistes in Sandalwood, but not many get the right break at the right time. Either they do not have the patience or they just get frustrated and leave the industry completely. But there are a few examples of patience and perseverance and Anushree definitely qualifies as a good example.
Anchor and dubbing artist Anushree has managed to get recognised as an actor and now has three films in her kitty. She has completed shooting for two films, Benki Potna and Tubelight, and is currently hosting a reality show Chinnada Bete while simultaneously shooting for Ring Master along with Arun Sagar.
Speaking about her busy schedule, she says, "I became an anchor immediately after I finished my PUC and for the past nine years, I have been part of various professions. My career growth has been slow but whatever I have done, I was able to sustain it for long. Though I took time to become an anchor, I am still sustaining and maintaining my popularity. I got a state award for my dubbing too. Today, even though my first film is yet to release, I am already shooting for my third film."
Anushree explains that while anchoring came naturally to her, acting was something that she dreaded. "I remember when director Shashank approached me for Moggina Manasu. I told him, 'Sir, please ask me to do anything, but not acting'. I was not up for it. The confidence came in when I worked with director Baraguru Ramachandrappa and that is when I thought I should explore opportunities. After coming out of Big Boss, I took up acting seriously and today I am really enjoying it. But my focus is to become a good actor and not the top heroine," she says.
Belli Kirana will be Anushree's first off-beat film, but commercially Benki Potna will be her first. This talented actress is now working on Ring Master, which according to her is an experimental film which require lot of rehearsals.
Rubbishing rumours about her relationship with Arun Sagar, who has worked with her in Benki Potna and Ring Master, she says, "We are not a couple in Benki Potna or in Ring Master. My love interest in Ring Master is Shrunga and Benki Potna sees me in the role of Paani, a village girl who is a die hard fan of Sudeep. In the film, I am madly in love with Sudeep and want to get married to the actor. So, I keep looking for somebody who is as tall as him. Arun Sagar is my relative who is fed up with my craze for Sudeep."
Balancing films and her reality show Chinnada Bete for Kasturi channel, she says, "I need to work hard till I have the strength. There is always time for rest when you retire."
Talking about her struggles, Anushree reveals that it was not an easy journey and despite her talent, she had several rejections.
“I was looking for instant success. But there were times, when I didn't get a job for over three years and when I got one, I was not satisfied. One aspect that I learnt through my journey was that if anybody says 'No' to you, it means that you are still learning. The best example is my film Belli Kirana. I was not allowed to dub for the film for various reasons. That was the first time, I heard a clear 'No'. But fate took a turn and I got a state award for my dubbing for the film Murali Meets Meera. After working hard, I am getting recognised. Today, I am at a place where I can reject scripts, which are not suitable for me,” she says.
She is a die hard fan of actress Kalpana and watching her films has become a part of her life. "After pack-up, I go back home and watch her films. I keep telling myself that I am not anywhere close to her acting," she says.
Anushree also has another inspiration. Her mother, who single handedly took care of her. "Now, I am happy to share my success with my mother. I fulfilled my nine-year long dream of buying a house for her. I have purchased a house for her in Mangalore. She is my best critic," she grins.