Talent will remain latent if not aided by box-office success in an industry driven by sheer numbers. Nabha Natesh, born in Sringeri, completed her engineering degree but was not born to be confined to a cubicle. She walked the ramp before making her screen debut with ‘Vajrakaya’ starring Shivraj Kumar. Nabha wanted to widen her horizons and met directors like Gautam Menon who found her spunky and promised a role but the film did not take off. She made her Telugu debut with ‘Nannu Dochukundavate’ but it’s with ‘Ismart Shankar’, released last Friday that she’s become the toast of Tollywood playing an audacious character who speaks with a Telengana twang. The film is raking it in, while praise is pouring in for her performance. She’s recovering from a bout of viral fever, sniffling and clearing her throat but is ready to share her journey thus far.
Have the tables turned? Have producers started calling you now?
(Laughs) Producers have been calling me after 'Nannu Dochukunduvate’ and the film with Ravi Tejaa, but this is a stamp; like I have a box-office success. There will be no second thoughts about commercial viability now.
Nothing succeeds like success.
Ya. Nothing speaks louder than success.
It’s around four years since you made your debut in ‘Vajrakaya’ in Kannada.
Yes, but I didn’t take up anything because I wanted to complete my education.
There seems to be a connection between cinema and engineering. Is it because you need something to fall back on?
It’s become a phenomenon. It’s become a sort of training ground for aspiring actors and directors. Both vocations need a lot of patience and hard work. Engineers are trained to undergo that. You have theory and lab. It’s a sort of preparation to undergo something similar I guess. But really it’s about wanting to do something more. When I had to make a choice it was either engineering or medicine. Now there are so many career options. We had a herd mentality.
It’s also about families being more receptive to girls opting for cinema.
You will be surprised to know that the reason I got into films is my mother. I’ve always been big on extracurricular activities. I’ve painted, am trained in Bharathanatyam and singing. I was equally good in academics. She pushed me saying I should be doing something else which egged me to try theatre. If not for her I’d have probably studied abroad.
Did you at any stage think of giving it up?
No because it’s all about potential which has to be converted. You have to understand your potential first. You also have to meet people who support and tap that potential. You can’t end up blaming others. I always thought if something doesn’t work out it’s my fault and I have to rectify and improve. My first film in Telugu did reasonably well at the box-office and everyone thought I’d done a good job. With the success of ‘ISmart Shankar’ maybe that potential is more obvious.
Was ‘Ninnu Dochukunduvate’ your calling card?
That role was very different from what I did in ‘Vajrakaya’. That was a massy film. There was a graph to the character in ‘ND’. It had everything. It was like a portfolio of what I could convey as an actress. I have to thank my director for that. My role in ‘ISmart Shankar’ is massy and has a glamorous side to it. The similarity in all these characters is entertainment. That’s my forte. People say they wait for my appearance on-screen. That makes me happy.
You also got an introduction scene which mostly heroes get.
(Laughs) That’s right. Puri sir has never written a character like this for the female lead. In fact, they sent me that scene and wanted me to record it as a screen test. They wanted to see if I could pull it off. The character is cute but loud. I really enjoyed doing it.
Is Nabha anything like Chandni?
Well, I’m an engineer (Laughs). Energy wise yes but not the attitude.
It’s a very physical role. You have to shed your inhibitions. The chemistry with the hero is important.
You’re right. Everyone is talking about the chemistry between Ram and me. Ram is a really good actor and had already got a hold of his character. I’d met him only once for coffee before the shooting. On the first day itself we cracked out a rapport. There was no extra effort. The writing of the characters helped.
You seem to have picked up a fair amount of Telugu too.
Yes I have. I insist on speaking in Telugu with my staff. I’m wary of using the wrong grammar though.
Are you slightly disillusioned with the Kannada industry? You did not get your due though Vajrakaya was a success..
Umm, you see all the characters offered after that film was similar which I didn’t want. I’m from theatre and aware of my potential. I wanted to be versatile and take my talent all over. I didn’t want to be typecast. Here too people who’ve watched ‘ND’ and ‘ISS’ say you have totally transformed from the girl next door to this glamorous avatar. That’s the whole point.
I feel I can do anything and I want people to realise that early. I got the opportunities here that I did not get there. I train for every role like horse riding for ‘Vajrakaya’.
sshivu@yahoo.com