From making her
Tollywood
debut as a child artiste in
Mahesh Babu
’s Brahmotsavam to landing a breakout role as Karen Shetty in the recent Hollywood adaptation of
Mean Girls
,
Telugu girl
Avantika Vandanapu seems to be on the fast track to global stardom. The 19-year-old, who recently returned to India to promote her upcoming web series
Big Girls Don’t Cry
, sat down for a chat with
Hyderabad Times
. She spilled the beans about everything, from working in Tollywood to the exciting projects she has lined up for the coming year, including the chilling horror film Tarot and the fantasy series Crown of Wishes, where she takes the lead role and serves as an executive producer as well.
‘Working in India and America are TWO VERY different EXPERIENCES’
My experiences working in India and America were very different. In India, it felt like working with a family, which was nice but sometimes mixed personal and work life, often working very late. In America, everything was more organised with clear work hours, which made things less personal but clearer professionally. In America, I found the roles I played more fulfilling. Recently, I started working in India again as an adult and found it emotionally rewarding.
‘I’ve been very lucky with the roles I got’
Many people think new actors can choose their roles, but that’s not true. At the start, actors can’t be picky because there are so many trying for the same parts. I’ve been lucky because the roles I got were what I wanted and they help show what it’s like to be a South Asian actress in Hollywood. I’ve also made good friends in the industry, which is great because it’s hard to find friends when you’re always moving. So, it might look like I’ve had lots of choices in my career, but really, I’ve just been very lucky with the chances I got.
Avantika with Jayasudha in a still from her debut film, Brahmotsavam
‘I love visiting Sultan Bazaar & Charminar when in Hyderabad’
I really like Hyderabad, especially places like Sultan Bazaar and Charminar. I enjoy visiting the Old City, temples, and Tank Bund. I also like spending time at my grandparents’ house and the farm my mom has built over the years. I was 11 when she had planted trees there. It’s been 8 years since, I’m 19 now and they have started bearing fruit, as well, it’s really wonderful to come back to it.
Avantika with Superstar Mahesh Babu
‘I prefer to be drowning in work than not doing anything’
Coming from a brown family, there’s a cultural expectation to always work hard and strive for success, which has made me decide to put college on hold during this crucial time in my career. However, I’m still committed to learning. And while I often feel like I’m drowning, I prefer that feeling to being bored or not having anything to do.
‘I’m looking forward to working in India, we have so many incredible directors’
I am looking forward to working in India, especially with incredible directors like Sekhar Kammula sir and Rajamouli and there are many wonderful directors in India right now. However, I’m aware that entering a new industry takes time and the right opportunity. After I complete the promotions for my upcoming projects, I plan to spend time in India and work on building connections, auditioning, and hopefully giving this industry a shot.
– Shrestha Mukherjee
English (US) ·