'I am a Kannadiga, happy to start in Sandalwood'

Srinidhi Ramesh Shetty, who has won international recognition on the ramp, is now set to take Kannada cinema by storm. CE caught up with her, over a phone conversation, just as she was packing her bags to Bengaluru from Mumbai.

She is to join the sets of her debut movie, KGF, which is directed by Prashanth Neel and stars Yash, made under Hombale Films. And what stands out is the ease with which this globe-trotting model switches to Kannada. “I am a Kannadiga and am happy to start my film career in Sandalwood,“ she says.

While everyone is talking about her role in KGF, the young model-turned-actress has been dwelling on facing the camera for her first film. “Media and the general public have been saying that I have joined the KGF team in the past one week, but I have been in touch with the filmmakers for much longer and seem to have a sort of a hangover,” she says. “I spent time with them trying to understand the project better. I know that modelling and acting are two different things, but to be honest, I am a little nervous when it comes down to ‘lights, camera, action’. It is not easy to get your expressions right and to understand the scenes, but I will practise and will give it my best. I am sure like everybody I will learn and grow,” says Srinidhi.

Famous as Miss Diva-Miss Supranational India in 2016 and winner of many modelling awards, Srinidhi created a buzz with her decision to enter movie industry. “I am aware that people have taken notice of me even before they have watched me on screen,” she says. “Probably my crown, which I brought for India competing in international pageants, has given me a chance to connect with the audience.”

Srinidhi could not dedicate much time for workshops or classes because of her constant travel for assignments. But she did her acting homework, in her own way. “I started watching a lot of films, old and new,” she says. “I used to watch movies to pass time before I signed up for KGF. But after that, I take each movie as a lesson. I watch how the actors emote, and observe their facial moments and body language... When I am all alone, I try delivering dialogues and acting out a scene in front of the mirror. But the actual lesson starts on the sets.”

There is a question every model-turned-actress gets asked - was silver screen always a dream? “I was always an active child, especially when compared to my sisters, I was involved in sports, dance, studies,” she says. “And my parents always wanted to see me on screen, whether big or small, and I had a deep desire to be part of this industry. But I was keen on completing my engineering graduation first. Luckily, right after I won the pageant, I got this movie offer.”

She says she will be busy with KGF and also globe trotting on her modelling assignments till December. “I will have more free time the moment I give my crown away the end of this year,” she says. “I will then start looking at other opportunities. But I definitely want to stick to this industry. I have left everything for films and there is no looking back”.