I want to do negative roles

telly belly
Navya Swamy, who is donning the role of “Meenakshi” in the daily soap ‘Naa Peru Meenakshi’ talks about her acting career and her show

When did you start acting?
I started acting when I was 15. My foray into the industry also happened by chance. I never thought I would be an actress. I started my career as an anchor. I hosted dance shows. Later, a director from Zee Kannada approached me and I also thought to give it a try.

Tell us about your stint with Balaji Telefilms. I did a couple of films and one day I got a call from Balaji Telefilms. I never wanted to do daily soaps because I felt I am pretty good in movies. Then Ekta Kapoor offered me a very good role as a lead. I said I’m studying I can’t do the role but they said they will manage everything and that’s how I did ‘Kalyani’ in Kannada for Balaji Telefilms. That’s my first serial too.

How are you enjoying the success of Meenakshi?
It’s nice to be in first and second places as you know TRP always shuffles. To get acknowledge by so many people always gives you the confidence to bounce back with much more energy.

Why Meenakshi is still in the relationship with Krish when he signed divorce papers?
Meenakshi is a girl, who believes in marriage institution. At the same time, she can’t turn back on the promise she gave to Krish’s father too. So at the end of day true feelings win and she knows down the line that she will win her husband’s heart and that is making her stay with Krish.

Krish does not love Meenakshi but she still loves him, why?
Meenakshi has always been treated badly. So when a person like Dhanraj gave her a chance to prove herself and trusted her with his whole property by showering immense love and asked her to take care of his orphan son. Then I don’t think it is fair on her part to leave Krish in the middle of the journey.

What homework did you do for the role?
I never prepared myself for the role. It happened just because of the director.

Do Navya and Meenakshi have any similarities?
I’m not a person who has patience in life. I’m not innocent. I have been an independent girl from past 11 years. I can’t even think of handling a situation like Meenakshi does.

How does it feel to be part of three TV industries?
Well, for me it was first Kannada, then Telugu and Tamil. ‘Kalyani’ gave me a good start but another serial ‘Lakumi’ gave me immense popularity and fetched me few awards for my role.

How do you choose your roles?
I think characterisation is very important. Good production house matters too. I have been working with amazing productions houses like Balaji, Vision, Viketan, Raadan and now Arka.

What kind of roles do you want to do?
I badly want to a negative role. I’m tired of being a banal kid.