I’m taking off where Swati left: Kriti Kharbanda

In Chiru you saw her play a sweet, next door kinda girl. South Indian actress Kriti Kharbanda is no different in person. In fact you’ll see that innocent, good natured side of hers that we are talking about in her upcoming Kannada flick Prem Adda as well.

“Actually I would call Girija, the most challenging character I have played so far. I’m someone who doesn’t understand what it means to go deglam, so when I was offered this role, I was not too sure of carrying it off. Even after I started shooting for the film, despite not wearing makeup I was still looking and feeling like Kriti and not Girija. In fact, one day I went to the sets after getting a French manicure done. Then my director reminded me that in the ’80s (the time in which the film is set), a village girl would not even be aware of a such a thing! He would not even allow my assistant to hold an umbrella for me when it was super hot as he wanted me to have a natural tan. I was made to walk barefoot too. A raw look is what he wanted and I hope I have succeeded in looking and acting the part,” Kriti says.

Given the fact that Prem Adda is a remake, did observing Swati’s act in Subramaniapuram make her job a little easier? “My mannerisms are required to suit the Kannada sensibilities, so there is no question of copying her. Let’s just say I’m taking off from where she left. Swati is a great performer, I’ll be satisfied if people feel I have acted half as well as her.”

Along with Prem Adda, Kriti has a slew of Kannada films in her kitty. “There is Galate with Prajwal. I was supposed to do Sagar with him but due to date problems, I had to back out. But now I’m glad we are doing Galate together. It will be a laugh riot. I’m confident that it will have a great opening. Next up is Googly. Mine is a very fun and energetic character and I star opposite Yash in the film. I feel I share the best on screen chemistry with him.”

There is also Anamika with Diganth, she confirms. “It is a musical love story with a difference. What will happen at the end is something that will be beyond everyone’s imagination. People will have tears in the eyes after watching the film,” she claims.

Kriti has a host of Telugu films in the pipeline as well. “There is Mr Nokia and Om, a 3D film in which my character has negative shades. It is a revenge drama that is due for release in December. These films apart, I am listening to Tamil and Kannada films scripts, but I’ll be able to take up new projects only after completing the ones I have on hand,” she signs off after giving us a sneak peek into her busy schedule.