'I loved my role in Endendhu Ninagaagi'

Kannada actress Deepa Sannidhi's latest film Endendhu Ninagaagi (Always for you) released on April 11, across Karnataka.

In this interview with Srikanth Srinivasa, Deepa talks about her contrasting roles in Endendhu Ninagaagi and her 2013 release Sakkare (Sugar) and why actresses should demand more payment than what they are worth.

How do you define your role in Endendhu Ninagaagi?

I had seen the original Tamil film Engeyum Eppotum. This movie stayed in my mind for quite some time and it had a positive impact.

I was happy when this role was offered to me and I readily signed the film.

I play Soumya, a tough girl who wants guys to fall for her beauty. She believes that love is important but is practical about it and is often hated for her rudeness.

She prefers to have genuine people around her even as she comes across as harsh to many.

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How challenging was it to play this role?

It was quite challenging because this is not me. I had to reverse my body language and thought process.

It wasn’t physically strenuous. I kept thinking about why she behaved that way. I kept asking myself about her behaviour and what really ran in her mind.

I tried to improvise my body language in certain ways so as to make it look natural. The attire is also quite different be it the plait, the salwar, her walking or talking style, which adds a lot to the character.

I had a sketch of the character and director Mahesh Rao fine-tuned it.

Why did you agree to act with a newcomer after being seen with  A-listers in all your previous films?

I loved this role and it was important for me to play this role.

When I had seen the film a year ago, I had wished for a similar kind of role. It would be foolish to let the offer pass by. It was a wish-come-true.

What was it like to work with newcomer Vivek?

It was nice. He was excited and there was a bit of awe.

He has that innocence that is required for his role. I felt that he justified the character that he played. He also inspired me to do better and perform better.

He reminded me of my first film and all the sweet memories of facing the camera for the first time.

People in the industry think that your remuneration is quite high.

I don’t think so. In this film, there was no problem when it came to remuneration.

I don’t think my remuneration is high. I am right in whatever I charge. 

Women are neglected in the industry. When do they begin to earn?

They are always compromising and agreeing to do a film for less money just because the producer and director say that the film will give them a break.

It is a matter of choice to cast someone. There are numerous choices and moviemakers are free to exercise that option.

Which are the projects that you are currently involved in?

I am doing a Tamil film, which is a remake of the Kannada film Lucia, opposite Siddharth.

I haven’t signed any Kannada film but there’s a Tamil film that I am planning to sign.

What is the difference in the working style in the Tamil and Kannada film industries?

It is like a first film for me as the people and the language are all new to me.

Most of the time I am busy learning my lines because I don’t like to be prompted on the sets. I have been able to deliver my dialogues on my own.

Tamil cinema is well organised and technically advanced. I want to give it my best shot.