From her debut movie Raju Gari Gadhi with Sharwanand to Maarich in Hindi, Seerat Kapoor is on a roll. Deccan Chronicle caught up with the busy actress on the sets of her upcoming Telugu movie in Hyderabad. Here are excerpts from the exclusive interview.
How did you land your first Telugu movie?
Well, it wasn't something that I planned. I believe there was a casting director in Hyderabad, who happened to stumble upon a Facebook photograph of mine. She ended up sharing it with UV creations, who were on the hunt for a fresh face. And that's it, I get a call. I had no idea that there were people scouting at that point. Very little did I know at that point about the industry. So I flew in, did an audition, and it all worked out.
You worked with Sharwanand earlier and now again, have you noticed any change in his working style?
There is a great change. And he's an artist who's always constantly adapting and trying to embrace new sides. This year, it was a very fresh take to his personality. He's also been through a change in his personal life, as he recently got married. So I think working with him was always very natural. It's never something that we had to plan. Sometimes you need to create an atmosphere to get the chemistry right. But with Sharwa, we just hit it off.
What's your role in the Sharwanand movie?
I cannot reveal too much. But what I would like to say is that she's a breath of fresh air. She's someone who would uplift anybody's spirit. It was great to kind of attract a role, especially after the pandemic and everything that we've been through. And there's so much negativity, animosity sometimes you are surrounded with. But you have a voice that just kind of evens it all down, is a great opportunity.
Tell us about Dil Raju production Aakasam Dati Vasthava
It's a dancer’s character, something very close to my heart, because before I even found acting as my calling, I was already training in Western forms—be it ballet, funky pop, street jazz. And this is the first film where I actually showcase my talent and am presented in that light. So I'm eagerly awaiting the release of this movie as much as my audience has been after me to do a character, which portrays this side of me.
You also worked with Badhshah, right? How was it?
It was a fab experience. I mean, working with Badshah in such a large scale environment. We in fact, shot that here in Hyderabad. So in many ways, I've been doing work. But it's still kind of getting me back to where I begun. It was fantabulous.
You've established yourself in the south, and then you work in Bollywood as well. So how did the transition happen?
Well, it's a transition from an audience point of view, or someone watching it. But for people who know me very well, they know that I've always resided in Bombay all my life. It was actually a transition coming here to Hyderabad, the other way. But I believe everything has its own time. And I don't see a difference. They're just two different languages, but creative teams are always trying to bring forward the best they can to catch the pulse of their audience. I'd love to continue doing more languages, explore more, or different kinds of myself.
So, you are able to speak in Telugu and dub for your roles?
Yes. I have attempted to dub. But again, it depends completely on your character. Sometimes they want it as local as it can be. But in the roles that I have recently played, there is a genuine effort I've always put in all my characters and have always said my lines myself. But I leave that to the director, the team to decide because at the end of the day, if we lose that connection through the character, that's where it may not work and I understand that from the dance background that I have come from, there is a lot of production involved. So I don't cross question that at all. But in my upcoming movies, you will hear my voice.
Being an actress brings you a lot of fame, but what's the worst part about it?
I don't think there's a worst side. I think there's a perception that's involved. I think every job entails good and bad. It's important to embrace both sides and not be hung up on only the good. And I think if you have that maturity to understand, then it's just part and parcel of the process. And things get a little lighter, in the mind. It's great being an actor, you get to express yourself in so many different ways, especially in times today. I personally love singing. I have also had a music album release with Jacky Bhaggnani, this year, where I'm singing as well. So I see it as an expression of different mediums. And there's so much love that comes in from the audience, which is so rare. It's appreciation that keeps you going. And that's what keeps me through.
And not many know that you're a trained classical singer.
They find out I think, after the first round they get a hint. All the musicians who I have interacted with and met, just by the way you speak, and your tone of voice, they kind of catch you there.
Is there a musician you want to collaborate with?
There are so many, I've only begun. For me again, it's not about doing quality, it's always about presenting the best that I can in different ways. The script needs to be right. And of course, when you talk about music, then it should sync with my natural abilities. Otherwise, there's no end to doing everything you can do. Yeah, I'd love to work with AR Rahman, Vishal Dadlani and Salim Sulaiman.
Is there a go-to song when you're stressed?
It depends on my mood. I'm always in the zone. When I am acting, I'm in a different zone. When I'm dancing, I suddenly go back, rewind it to those 10 years. Otherwise, for my mood I like to believe I'm a bit of an emotional person. I take a lot to soothing music or melodies. But my personality kind of speaks the other way around. And then there is this dancer side to me, right?
Between choreography, singing and acting, which one do you enjoy the most?
All. I believe there is a little bit of each in every one that you mentioned. The one common element in all of that would be emotion. Your medium changes—your voice or your body and acting actually, as much as you just think it's the face, It's not. It's still your body language is the character. It's so much more than that.
Your favorite Telugu co-star
Somebody special? It would be Sharva because my journey began with him and now, I'm doing another movie with him.
Actors on your wish list
I have mentioned time and again, Allu Arjun is somebody I want to work with. We have way too many things in common. In Hindi, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh. It'd be great to collaborate with them and many more.
Why do you like Allu Arjun? Did you watch Pushpa?
Well, I've known him personally. We've all seen him as this dynamic energy on screen. But few get the opportunity to know him on a personal level. And I think he's one of the most humble people that I've come across despite the stardom. He makes you feel comfortable, he makes you feel like you're good in your own zone. I'm more of a quality person versus work. If I take to someone emotionally, or if I connect to their qualities, that draws me.
There's also a lot happening in the OTT space. Are you open to OTT?
I am actually shooting two OTT shows as we speak. As an artist, if you're able to find different platforms to play different characters, because both have their pluses and their limitations. And it's like a nice criss-cross, things that you can do on OTT, you can't necessarily do on a theatre scale. So I see it as a positive and I'm really enjoying both the processes. As far as filming goes, there's no difference. You still feel like you're on a film set, you're working as hard, maybe even longer. And it's great. I think there's a creative push that we have with the OTT platforms, which I love.
What makes you happy?
It's my family first. My selective friendships with people, Humanity, animals nature, travel, music, dance. I think we take life for granted sometimes. But I think if you find simplicity in things, then there's a moment of joy where you are, you don't have to look or seek it.
What do you like about Hyderabad?
I love the people. I think they're very grounded. Very down-to-earth and everyone on set, off-set, I think each one of us no matter what we're doing, we want to end up having a good time, which is amazing. You really meet some lovely people here. The food is great.
What's your favorite?
Biriyani. And then there's a buffet right on set also. There's breakfast and the first time I was shooting, I was so used to only one thing and I remember there was a line of dosa, idly, pongal etc. It's really lovely to wake up to something that you enjoy doing. And to be pampered like this.
You like South Indian food?
I'm a foodie. I like to believe that. I try my best to experiment with different cuisines. My dad was a hotelier, I think that's where it comes in.
Is there a place or a hangout in Hyderabad you always visit when you're in the city?
Things are growing so rampantly in Hyderabad. Every other day, there's a restaurant, pubs opening. So there's not one anymore. You know, there are so many places to explore. And I think the Hyderabad crowd is great with its energy. They've just been on the hunt to find the next cool place to be at. Sanctuary is one place that I really enjoy because it has a great ambience. You sometimes have the best music, the crowd’s great, and the food’s yum. I'm more about the company than the place and a little bit of art and interior around me.
What next after this?
There's a lot releasing—there are four projects that you will see me in next year. I would like to take a little bit of a break because I've been shooting back to back all year long. So maybe this New Year, I'd like to give myself a little me time and bounce back in January with something fresh.
