EXCLUSIVE: I shall never take the fame I have earned from ‘KGF’ for granted, says Srinidhi Shetty

Now, that’s a dream debut for any actress, considering the wondrous reach and achievements of the films.

In an exclusive interview with South First, Srinidhi talked all about it and the two new films she recently signed on the eve of her birthday, 21 October.

The beginning

A still from the film ‘KGF’. (SrinidhiShetty7/ X)

Srinidhi Shetty comes from a humble background: She hails from a typical Indian middle-class family, where one has to work hard to sustain oneself amid stiff competition at every stage in life.

“I studied hard and, like any other child, I was very fascinated with movies, watching them on cable television. Also, Indians winning beauty pageant competitions at the International stage influenced me to a great extent,” said the actress.

“However, I had no idea how to become either a model or an actor,” she added.

Before pursuing both modelling and later acting as her career, the KGF girl pursued electrical engineering and worked at the software company Accenture for over a year.

She said she had two other offers — from Infosys and Cognizant.

Beauty pageant

Realising that it was now or never, the actress resigned from her job and pursued a career in modelling.

Srinidhi Shetty said, “For modelling, there is an age restriction which is not the case in the acting profession.”

She added: “I was not happy working in a company. I did not want to regret 10 years down the line that I did not at least give it [my passion] a try.”

She continued: “I applied for modelling work and followed it by participating in beauty pageants. They led me to the biggest opportunity in my life — KGF.”

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6 years of KGF

Srinidhi Shetty on the sets of ‘KGF’. (SrinidhiShetty7/ X)

The makers of KGF — Hombale Films — along with director Prashanth Neel were looking for a fresh face to play Reena Desai opposite Rocking Star Yash in the film.

They stumbled upon a photo of the model in a leading English daily.

The actress said that director Prashant Neel initially approached her. “I flew down from Mumbai to Bengaluru, and after the meeting, Prashanth finalised me for the role of Reena. I was excited since I had been a great admirer of his work in Ugramm (2014),” she noted.

“I could not have asked for more, as I had grown up watching films of Yash, and Hombale Films making all those wonderful films, including Raajakumara (2017),” the actress said.

Recollecting her days working on the sets of KGF for over six years, Srinidhi pointed out that she never dreamt that her first two films would create history in Indian cinema.

She was, however, confident that they would manage to garner great appreciation for the combined efforts of Hombale Films, Prashanth Neel, and Yash.

“It was like a home to me after working for six years on a single project. I learnt the art while working on the job. They treated me like a child on the sets,” smiled Srinidhi Shetty as she recalled her experiences.

After KGF

During the launch of ‘KGF 2’. (SrinidhiShetty7/ X)

Following the humongous success of the KGF films, the model-turned-actress said she was the same as a person but it gave her the biggest push in terms of her profession as an actress.

She explained, “I am still the same, but career-wise, the big success certainly boosted my acting prospects. The pan-India reach of the films certainly helped expand my identity as an actress. Everyone knew me instantly as the KGF girl.”

Srinidhi Shetty added, “Thereafter, the pandemic and the emergence of OTT delayed my next film. Also, I made a conscious effort to choose projects that made me feel strongly about the content, the makers, and the people I wanted to work with while being part of a project. Irrespective of the outcome, I do not want to have regrets about a film.”

Admitting that not all films can be as successful as the KGF duology, the actress pointed out that for her, quality of work is more important than quantity.

“Also, I am well aware of the kind of unconditional love and support I got from the audience and my fans. I shall never take the fame I earned from KGF for granted. Never mind even if end up acting in just five to six films in my career,” she said.

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Beyond KGF

Srinidhi Shetty in ‘Cobra’. (SrinidhiShetty7/ X)

After KGF, Srinidhi Shetty eventually signed her first Tamil film, titled Cobra, alongside Chiyaan Vikram.

The film was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and eventually failed at the box office.

However, the actress said she felt that she learnt much as an actor while sharing the screen with such a senior and experienced actor.

She said, “I cannot explain in words what I as an actress gained from Cobra. It’s simply precious.”

She explained: “Vikram sir’s film Anniyan (2005) had a great influence on me, like many who watched it. He is just amazing and I’m lucky to have worked alongside such a great actor.”

New projects

Srinidhi Shetty at the launch of the Telugu movie ‘Telusu Kada’. (SrinidhiShetty7/ X)

After a gap of one and a half years since Cobra, Srinidhi is back with two new projects.

In Kannada, she is paired opposite Abhinaya Chakravarthy Kiccha Sudeep in the tentatively titled project Kichcha 47, helmed by Cheran.

Her maiden Telugu venture is Telusu Kada, which has Siddu Jonnalagadda in the lead.

Excited to be working with Kiccha Sudeep and director Cheran, who created some of the finest films like the Tamil-language Autograph (2004), the actress revealed that she cannot wait to get back on set.

She is expected to start on the Kannada film from January 2024, while her Telugu film will go on the floors in November this year.

She concluded by thanking God for the blessings of her elders. “I can only say that I shall put in my best and work sincerely to evolve as a better actor as days pass by.”

Need all your blessings for this new beginning 🙏

Thank you @SathyaJyothi n @directorcheran sir, for this wonderful opportunity 🙏🏻
Excited to be sharing the screen with our very own BAADSHAH @KicchaSudeep sir ✨️ pic.twitter.com/vqF6xoXDpd

— Srinidhi Shetty (@SrinidhiShetty7) October 21, 2023