When Ram Gopal Varma picked Parul Yadav for his multilingual Killing Veerappan, she knew little about the part she was to play in the operation to capture the forest brigand.
“The first thing I asked RGV sir was, ‘How old is she?’” says the actor, who forayed into Sandalwood with Govindaya Namaha three years ago. “Then, I wanted to see her photo.”
Hearing of her bravery made Parul feel it was an honour to bring her to life on the silverscreen. “She is a hero to me. I would like to meet her some day,” she gushes.
But playing her involved more than mastering amateur police work or sleuthing -- RGV asked her to tan and ‘de-glam’. “I was initially hesitant to wear those shabby salwar-kameez, and the bad hair-dos bothered me,” she says in a candid moment. “I still remember when RGV would ask me to see my shot on the monitor...I would refuse, and had told him I couldn’t see myself without makeup.”
But that it was RGV’s film kept her going, and now she feels this is her best performance so far. “People will see a different side of me. I have given this film everything I’ve got.”
That said, this was rather an unexpected opportunity for Parul -- working with the stalwart director and popular actor Shivarajkumar in a single project, centred on a subject of national importance like Veerappan’s killing.
“Compared to other heroines in the industry, I feel I am still a newcomer,” she says. “Fortunately, I didn’t have to pitch or audition for this role. He cast me based on my performance in the Kannada industry. Honestly, I didn’t take it too seriously when I got to know RGV was calling me for his project.”
Sometimes best things come surprisingly and it has paid me off, she continues. “I am glad Gandhinagar (filmmakers) — the Kannada film industry — acknowledges my work, and that keeps me coming back for the good roles here. RGV, an institution himself, believed in me.”
Parul’s next after Killing Veerappan will be Jessie, directed by Pavan Wadeyar. “I am glad to start the New Year with Killing Veerappan and follow it up with Jessie, a romanace. I am sure that after watching my performance in Killing Veerappan, I will have filmmakers coming up with better offers for me,” she signs off.
I am glad Gandhinagar (filmmakers) the Kannada film industry acknowledges my work, and that keeps me coming back for the good roles here. RGV, an institution himself, believed in me. Parul Yadav, actor
‘Don’t Want to Take the Industry Too Seriously’ Currently eight Kannada films old, does Parul truly believe the industry offers her enough? Is there enough give and take? “I wish I could give myself more. I firmly believe only hard work pays off, and I am happy and content with my work. But I want to make sure I don’t take the movie industry too seriously, and only focus on good work. Competition is all around; actresses come and go. I want to be proud of what I do, and I’m sure that will include illing Veerappan,” she says.