KANNADA STAR IN BOLLYWOOD

A new Kannada star rises in Bollywood

After her foray into Bollywood with yet-to-be-released ‘Oh My God’, Sandalwood actress Nidhi Subbaiah is striving to gain a foothold in the Hindi film industry with her second film to be directed by Sanjay Gadhvi of ‘Dhoom’ fame.

As she shoots for ‘Ajab Gazabb Love’ opposite Jackky Bhagnani, Nidhi is loving every moment in Mumbai. “This is my fourth month in the city. I am enjoying the fast-paced life of Mumbai. I am at the right place at the right time. I’m not missing Bangalore or Coorg as of now, except for the food and weather,” she adds.

Elaborating on her current project, Nidhi says, “It’s a remake of a romcom flick in Telugu, Seema Tapakai. Presently, 60 per cent of the shoot is complete and we’ll be flying abroad soon for rest of the shoot.”

Nidhi has completed shoot for her first film, ‘Oh My God’, and is now busy with workshops and costume fittings. The doe-eyed beauty is loving every moment of it as she basks in the glory of a big break. “Any girl who wants to be a heroine would like to take a shot at Bollywood for its wide reach,” she says.

Ask about her current favourite in Bollywood, and she says Arjun Rampal. He plays an important role in ‘Ajab Gazabb Love’, along with Arshad Warsi. “I have just finished one schedule with him. He’s so hot and has an amazing screen presence. We have a lot of female crew members who, when he dashes into the sets, become speechless,” says Nidhi.

Although a new face in Mumbai industry, she claims she didn’t face any casting couch issues. “It might have been in the nineties. This is a new age and conducive for talent. Casting couch exists even in the corporate world. It is how you look at it and achieve your goals by taking the hard route.”

The Kannada actress is staying all alone in Mumbai and says she is comfortable with the space she is in now. “My mother keeps coming and going. I have lot of cousins and friends residing here. Jackky is my only friend in the industry. Soon, I will be making more friends,” she says.

Nidhi has not worked in any other south Indian film before heading to Bollywood. “Probably, I was destined to be here and I took it with both hands,” she says, adding, “My experience in Sandalwood has really helped me to reach this far.”

Comparing the current remuneration in Sandalwood with that of Bollywood, Nidhi says, “I have come here with a few years of experience in Kannada films. This is my second film in Hindi, so, right now, I am a nobody. Once I become somebody, I will talk about money.”

Back home in Sandalwood, her latest film, Anna Bond, released to a good opening. “I have not yet watched the film, but some fans didn’t like me dying in the film. They said: ‘We felt like leaving the movie hall that very moment.’ I have done justice to my role, but the saddest part was that they had to kill my character,” says Nidhi.

From now on, she will be seen in Kannada films only if some good projects come her way. “For a while, I will be busy shooting and promoting my Hindi film. I would always love to be part of a good film, especially if Yograj Bhat makes a Pancharangi sequel or Puneeth wants me in a future project,” she says.

For this ambitious actress, it’s a new place with new projects, but Nidhi is yet to find a life companion. “Mumbai is a new home and for a heroine, being single is good,” she signs off.