It’s good to welcome newcomers, but experienced actresses should be counted too: Shanvi Srivastava

A Lovely start

Shanvi Srivastava was a teen when she debuted with the Telugu film Lovely, directed by B Jaya, alongside Aadi Saikumar.

Kannada actor Shanvi Srivastava. (IamShanviSrivastav/Facebook)

She was in her first-year bachelor’s degree pursuing commerce when she auditioned for the role of Lavanya in the flick. The makers were looking for someone with a college-girl look and she perfectly fitted in the role.

“I never dreamt of becoming an actor. I took it up with the only intention to pay for my education. After a year, Lovely was released to a good response at the box office. Even then, all I was thinking of was completing my degree and preparing myself for competitive examinations in the banking sector,” the 29-year-old told South First.

But she started enjoying the process of filmmaking, learning new things daily as an actor, and loved interacting with dozens of strange people in her daily life.

“Yes, money did come along but I had to work really hard and it wasn’t easy. Soon, I was on a signing spree. I eventually fell in love with acting. With a heart to explore a new culture, tradition and working style, I made my entry into Kannada films. The love and appreciation the Kannada audience showered upon me resulted in me signing more movies here,” she recalled.

Also Read: Abhishek Maharshi’s ‘Prem Kumar’ is about the ditched groom

Ups and downs

Shanvi is doing a web series in Telugu. (IamShanviSrivastav/Facebook)

As to her decade-long career, Shanvi remarked: “Like most of us, I too had a fair share of ups and downs. It is essential for everyone to keep reinventing themselves and take risks when it matters the most. Not just the film industry, nothing remains constant in any field. One must learn to accept and look forward to learning and accepting both sides of life.”

Though she seriously took up acting as her career, she did complete her degree with flying colours (77 percent marks).

Even though she debuted in Telugu with a good start, Shanvi Srivastava is yet to make a comeback in Tollywood. She says she has been looking forward to one for a long time now.

“If we actresses sign films in other languages, the filmmakers stop approaching us thinking that we might not want to do any more in the industry we were once busy with. It is simply believed that ‘we are gone’. However, it is not the case. I would like to return to Telugu but not for any random project. I am looking forward to a sensible movie that is worth the wait,” she explained.

Also Read: Defamation case by Sudeep: Court summons Kannada producers

Newcomers Vs experienced

Unlike actors, actresses do not sustain longer in any industry by playing meaty roles, given the influx of newcomers.

Shanvi believes that newcomers should be given opportunities but experienced actresses should be of greater relevance. “However, things have changed for good with a lot of opportunities opening up for all. I think newcomers and experience can coexist. Everyone has a role to play,” Shanvi says, adding that unfortunately audiences rarely come to theatres just to see an actress. “They come to see male actors unless an actress can pull the audience in on her performance and contributes to the box-office collection in great numbers.”

Also Read: ‘OMG 2’ is a compelling drama that makes you laugh and think

About Baang

‘Baang’ features Shanvi as a gangster. (IamShanviSrivastav/Facebook)

About her upcoming Kannada release Baang, Shanvi Srivastava says she took her own sweet time to say “yes” to the film.

“As actors, we pray that the directors showcase us in different roles instead of typecasting in a particular role or genre. When director Ganesh Parashuram approached me with Baang which has an entirely different concept and promises to portray me in a completely different avatar, I okayed it by considering the groundwork he did for the film,” the actor elucidated.

She further added, “Also, the timing of the release of Baang is apt. The Kannada industry is witnessing the release of new and experimental genres that are drawing a positive response from audiences and also getting good returns for the makers.”

In Baang, Shanvi plays a gangster for the first time in her career. She will be seen alongside singer-composer Raghu Dixit who is debuting as an actor. He plays the role of Shanvi’s father in the movie.

After Baang, Shanvi Srivastava is wrapping up her maiden Marathi venture Raanti (Wild), a remake of the Kannada hit film Ugramm (2014).

Thereafter, she will return to Kannada for director Nagathihalli Chandrashekar’s yet-to-be-titled movie.

And for the Telugu audiences who are awaiting her comeback, she will be seen in an exciting web series.

Related: Shanvi Srivastava wants to work in all South Indian languages