Some screen images can be stubbornly persistent. Her breakout film Kumari 21F (2015) bestowed on Hebah Patel an abiding ‘bubbly girl’ image, and since then, she has been cast in a multitude of similar roles. But now, the actress is consciously trying to shake off the image and tread a new path.
In a yet-to-be-titled movie, Hebah will be seen as a speech-and-hearing-impaired woman. It will be a challenging role for the Orey Bujjiga actress. “I will be seen as a working woman, an orphan. The story chronicles my character’s journey, and how her life takes different turns,” Hebah tells us.
After having played glamorous roles in somewhat bold films like 24 Kisses, Hebah is looking at shining in the non-glamorous role. How did she prepare for her role in the revenge drama? “I participated in a week-long workshop besides taking classes in sign language,” Hebah reveals. The Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada star has already started shooting for the new film.
“I want to convince the audience that I can do any kind of role,” Hebah says. Doing an offbeat role in Odela Railway Station, where she played a village belle for the first time, has helped her in her efforts not to be typecast.
“When I was offered Odela.., I felt that I should test myself. Doing the film gave me the confidence that I can pull off the deaf-and-mute role,” she says.
As she’s been taking up performance-oriented parts, the actress is now being offered a variety of meaty roles.
