‘My definition of a villain is someone who is a silent killer’ 

For heroines, who are usually seen on camera surrounded by valiant heroes, it’s not common to find one with a fondness for villains. This fondness for the bad guys helped Samyuktha Hegde in her upcoming film, Kaalej Kumar. The actress, who goes back to college in her second film directed by Hari Santhosh, is seen playing a bubbly character who has a liking for villains. In general, ask the actress about her views on antagonists, and she says, “Villains are very hardowrking actors. They work very hard to try and be bad on screen, as getting the audience to hate you requires a lot of talent, and I really respect that.”

In Kaalej Kumar, her character is apparently fond yesteryears villains. So does she personally have any favourites? “I think Prabhakar was a great villain of that time, and at present, Vasishta Simha makes for a great villain. He is really good and I’d like to see him in more negative roles,” says Samyuktha.

When it comes to characteristics villains should have, she says, “I like villains who are calm and composed. I don’t like villains who have an entry song and heavy dialogues. My definition of a villain is someone who is a silent killer. He should be smarter than he is stronger.”

So will Samyuktha agree to play a heroine opposite a villain? “It depends on who the villain is,” she chuckles, and adds, “If given a chance, I would like to play a villain myself. I know it is not easy to be cruel, but I want to bring out that side of me on screen.”

However, it seems as if college life isn’t leaving her on screen anytime soon, and she is getting to play roles her age. Samyuktha, however, says it’s a phase. “Choosing to be part of another film that is college based was my choice, and people think I do well in such films. But there are a lot of unexplored sides of me, and if I get offers, I definitely want to try new characters.”

There is more to her character than just going to college in Kaalej Kumar, says Samyuktha  “As Keerthi, I am more a catalyst and mediator between the hero and his father, and play a friend to both of them. I have recieved a good feedback from what people have seen in the trailers, I hope the audience will like the film too,” she adds.

The actress, who is all of 20 years, has a huge fan following, especially in colleges, which was seen during promotions. “It is great to be an inspiration for the youth. I know what it’s like being in their shoes, and I hope I am influencing them the right way,” she says.

As a newcomer, she was happy to have started well with Kirik Party, and was equally glad that she bagged a role in Kaalej Kumar. “I get to play the female lead, and I also get to fight in the film. Though I don’t like to call it a tomboy-ish role, I get to play this angry young girl,” she says.

Kaalej Kumar has her featuring opposite Vikky Varun in the lead.