Exclusive: Every film is a benchmark for me and I’d give it my best, says Neha Shetty

In a free-wheeling chat with South First, the actor said she always wanted to be in the movies and even shared her dream with her parents and schoolmates.

Believes in hard work

Neha Shetty will be next seen in ‘Rules Ranjan’. (Supplied)

Wanting to be someone and relentlessly pursuing it are two different things. Neha Shetty didn’t depend on luck, she made her efforts to get there by doing all the right things — the right way.

“I wasn’t sure how to create my path and get into the industry, considering the fact that I had no contacts in the film industry. A lot of girls entered filmdom from Mangalore, and I began studying their career path. I took up dancing and modelling and won a couple of beauty pageants. Just when I was finishing my 12th standard, I got an offer to work in Mungaru Male 2 (2016),” she went down memory lane.

Once she was done with the Kannada romantic drama, Neha Shetty moved to Hyderabad and started giving auditions. A polyglot, she learned Telugu quickly and this helped her in a big way. “Telugu is pretty similar to the languages I speak!”

For three months, she watched three films a day to get a grasp of the language before she started working on Mehbooba (2018).

“Acting has been my childhood dream. I knew it would happen and I would reach the stars. All I needed to do was work hard. I was so excited that my journey kicked off on a positive note. I have so much more to do.”

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— Sithara Entertainments (@SitharaEnts) August 30, 2023

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On playing Radhika in DJ Tillu

Neha Shetty in ‘DJ Tillu’. (NehaSshetty/ Instagram)

Asked how she managed to have the unidimensional expression throughout DJ Tillu and how she pulled off the entire act of threading the thin line between looking innocent and getting away with murder, Neha Shetty said, “Radhika mostly speaks through her eyes. But I’m not like that. I am hyperactive and I am very expressive. Radhika and Neha are clear in life and will do what is needed in life. Radhika is silent and doesn’t like to be told what needs to be done. Neha doesn’t mind discussion.”

She recalled, “I initially found the character difficult to portray. But through Radhika, I learnt how to keep my acting grounded. Being a girl next door is simple but I was nervous when I was donning the role.”

Asked if she felt hurt that she wasn’t picked in the sequel — Tillu Square, Neha Shetty clarified, “I knew, right from the beginning, that I wouldn’t be there in the franchise. But I felt sad for my fans. The amount of love they showered on me (Radhika) through hashtags, posts, and stories was immeasurable. They texted me and really wanted me to be a part of Tillu Square.”

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Not bothered by flops

Neha Shetty also prepared herself for failure. The actor never wants to regret that she didn’t do enough to reach her destination.

“Hits and flops are part of the journey. But for me, every film is a benchmark and I would give it my best. When I heard about Bedurulanka 2012, I was excited. DJ Tillu was a Telangana film and this one was Andhra. The mannerisms were totally different.”

She noted: “Soon after you’ve delivered a hit with a glamorous role, it’s tough for everyone to accept you in a rural character. But it worked for me and people accepted me.”

The actor will be seen doing different shades in her upcoming projects. For example, in Rules Ranjann, Kiran Abbavaram plays a character who follows too many rules and has a routine lifestyle. He falls in love with a girl (Neha) who breaks the rules.

“In Rules Ranjann, I play a girl from Tirupati who is free-spirited. Vishwak Sen’s Gangs of Godavari is a period story and you will love my character in it,” she oozed confidence.

Neha Shetty says she would do kissing scenes if the script demands. “If the emotion connects to the audience it is fine. But if it is being forced, then I am not in for a kissing scene. And no, I’m not being stereotyped by filmmakers.”

See you on September 28th ! ✨ pic.twitter.com/2y5waCqay3

— Neha Sshetty (@iamnehashetty) September 4, 2023

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Neha Shetty, the ‘kajal queen’

Neha Shetty ‘Bedrulanka 2012’. (NehaSshetty/ Instagram)

The DJ Tillu actor says she follows a workout routine.

“I’m not a fitness freak. So, I ate Pizza last night. My metabolism is great. But I do work out,” she quipped.

When asked about the compliments she received for her lovely eyes, Neha noted, “My kohl-lined eyes in DJ Tillu were a huge hit with the youth. I got many compliments for the same after the movie was released.”

She further recalled, “Even during my college days, I never went out without applying kajal. I was the ‘Kajal Queen’. It was a daily routine and it would be odd for people to see me without kajal. If I didn’t put it on, people used to ask if I was okay.”

Neha Shetty ended the conversation by saying, “When I finish my work and go home, I want to remain grounded. I wish to be the same even after 10 years. Being a certain way with certain people is fine because we have to adapt to certain surroundings. But let us not make it permanent!”

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