Avika Gor is tagged as the Southern siren because soon after her famous TV show Balika Vadhu she turned towards Telugu films. She feels proud being called so. Avika will be seen in 1920: Horrors of Hearts directed by Krishna Bhatt, and the actress says that she in a good space as far as work down South is concerned. Excerpts from the chat.
Q) How will you choose between South and Hindi films after your Hindi film 1920 - Horrors of Hearts?
I hope I get a lot of opportunities in Hindi. But since I am not from the industry, I hardly know what film is in the making. I didn’t know anything about 1920- Horrors of Hearts. Being an outsider I don’t know how to get in for an audition as I am unaware about any projects being launched. I got 1920 because Vikramji thought of me. I will face this same issue ahead as I wouldn’t know which films in Bollywood are going on floors. If I have to audition I will do that, I don’t have any qualms. So the journey ahead depends on how 1920 comes out. I am very excited about this project 1920 which is a pan India release. Many people down South have seen my films but I have not done any horror/dark films in the South. I hope my audience likes me in this film as they will see me in a new avatar. I have been able to get name and fame in the South only because of their love.
Q) You are stepping into web series down south, elaborate a bit about it.
It is a suspense thriller, and I play a character Indu. It’s a genre that will show me with a difference. It’s a-never-played role. Also, I have two films ready from my own production house which is under post production.
Q) How different is it working in a web series?
I have been doing a lot of work down South so I can’t find any difference doing web series. I understand Telugu completely. My directors explain my scenes in Telugu only. Everything happens in Telugu on the sets. My thinking process is in Hindi so I think in Hindi. I just can’t speak Telugu fluently though. But when it comes to saying the dialogues while shooting I learn it meticulously and do it in Telugu, so it’s been a learning curve. By the time a Hindi film releases it gets a bit too long whereas in South, everything happens fast. The process in Telugu industry of bringing the film on the screens is quick. So the number of releases are more comparatively. But professionalism and the shooting process are the same in both the industries.
Q) Your first film was with Nagarjuna’s production, are you still in touch with him?
Yes I am in touch with Nagarjuna. He attended the trailer launch of my production house that happened recently. He has definitely been there for me whenever I need him.
