She might have started her filmi foray with Preethi Geethi Ityaadi (love, work and more), but it was Eradane Sala that turned her into a critically acclaimed success. Now, she seeks to add more notches to her talented portrayals with Rohit Padaki’s most anticipated film Dayavittu Gamanisi. The natural and classic beauty, Sangeetha Bhat, is also busy with a variety of other projects — a suspense thriller, a murder mystery including the latest film she has signed on, Anukta. Bhat is glad that her dedication and hardwork in the past has resulted in the right kind of appreciation, content-driven films and sensible roles. The actress reveals more on the recent changes in her kismat, and more. Incidentally, Kismat is another film of hers that is ready for release. She plays the lead along with Vijay Raghavendra, who makes his debut as a director.
“I want to thank Guruprasad Sir (the director of Eradane Sala). It is because of his film that I started getting offers for interesting and unique storylines with true substance. As an actress, I believe that it is only when acclaimed directors approach us for good projects that our talent and hardwork is noticed. Post Eradane Sala, I have learnt a lot — how to choose a film, understanding the pulse of the audience. It has also become very critical to know about an audience’s taste, and which roles do they really like an actor or actress to portray. Though I started my career struggling, I now feel lucky to have worked with directors like Rohit Padaki, Krishna Chaitanya and new talents like Arvind Shastry,” says Sangeetha Bhat.
A range of films essaying diverse roles has been Sangeetha’s hallmark in the recent past. In Dayavittu Gamanisi she essays a childhood dream — of playing a school teacher. In the versatile director KM Chaitanya’s yet-to-be titled film her role is being kept under wraps, and Bhat is also part of a suspense thriller paired opposite Chiranjeevi Sarja. Her other venture directed by Arvind Shastry (who had directed the critically acclaimed Kahi) sees her paired opposite Ashu Bedra, in a film titled Alidu Ulidavaru. In Anukta directed by Karthik Attavar, who has also penned the story, the script is what interested her.
“It is a great feeling when one’s good work leads to other projects. While Rohit approached me for Dayavittu Gamanisi after Eradane Sala, I was offered a choice of one of the four female protagonists in the film which has four different tales running parallelly. I choose to portray a teacher’s role, which was my childhood ambition. I had no idea whom I was being paired opposite and later to my pleasant surprise, I realised it was Vashishta Simha, who did an amazing job in Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu. I had watched it, and was very impressed with his acting skills, and had wished to act with him. It was immediately, thanks to Dayavittu Gamanisi,” she explains, adding that Rohit had earlier been associated with Chaitanya Sir’s previous project and had seen her performance which got her this role.
In Eradane Sala, which can be considered one of her best films, Sangeetha was noted for her romantic portrayal. She adds, “It is not an easy task to be realistically romantic on the silver screen. Thanks to Guru Sir, I was able to pull it off. However, my family too was extremely supportive even though I still had to face a lot of questions from others about the role.” The actress who had acted in a couple of teleserials in the past wishes to act both on the small and big screen, but with certain directors disagreeing to work with actors working in both streams, she says she has not been able to do so. She signs off saying that she has reinvented herself, and believes only in working to the best of her abilities, with no expectations.
