Mumbai, Maharashtra: In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Actress Samyuktha spoke about her cinematic journey, the evolving roles of women and her big dreams of making it in Bollywood. She also shared her thoughts on leading actresses in the South Indian film industry. Samyukta said that her journey so far has been a phase of constant learning and growth, as she continues to make a mark with her strong screen presence and impressive performances in South cinema. She believes that, this journey has helped her understand the art of storytelling, explore characters in depth and grasp the finer nuances of cinema. According to her, every project brings a new experience that motivates her to improve further. Talking about her upcoming film, she described her experience of working with Vijay Sethupathi and Tabu as wonderful. She also revealed that she will soon be seen in a Hindi film. Additionally, Samyukta shared that her favorite actor is Shah Rukh Khan.
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00:01Samitani, first of all, welcome to IIMS.
00:04Samitani, first of all, do you want to know about your journey from your first time till now?
00:08And how did you have evolved as an actress?
00:12Okay.
00:14See, it was a very long journey.
00:16I was born in a small village in Kerala called Rachitur in the district of Palkar.
00:23So in my upbringing, in my school life,
00:27me or my friends, nobody had a dream, nobody used to discuss.
00:32The only thing about cinema was just watching cinema, probably in the weekend.
00:36That too, mostly for the festivals, not like a routine.
00:41So nobody thought that, you know, I will become an actor.
00:44Neither did I think that I will become an actor.
00:47When I landed my first offer, I just did it because I had 2-3 months free before I joined
00:55a college.
00:56Just took it because, you know, I felt very adventurous at that moment.
00:59Just, I'll just try it out.
01:02But then when I did my first film, I realized that first, I don't know anything.
01:06There is a lot to learn.
01:09And honestly, I felt that this is not for me.
01:11And I don't think I can do this.
01:13And I took a breather for almost a year.
01:17And I would say then I restarted again.
01:20It was very, so much of circumstance.
01:23And then destiny, I would say.
01:25I'm a destiny's child.
01:26Then started my journey again.
01:28But that was like the time when I decided, okay, this is my career.
01:34And then I'm a dreamer.
01:37So, the moment I decided, okay, this is going to be it.
01:40Then I started dreaming big.
01:42Then I, you know, dreamt that, okay, I want to do different type of roles.
01:46Then I started, what are the roles that you would love.
01:48And then I wanted to experience every other industry.
01:53In my childhood, I've definitely watched Bollywood and a lot of Tamil films.
01:57More than Telugu, we used to, I mean, from Kerala.
02:00As I'm from Kerala, we used to watch a little bit of dubbed Telugu films.
02:03But more of Tamil films and Bollywood films.
02:07Then, yes, then, okay.
02:09I decided that I'm going to do anything that will take me all the learning.
02:14And hit and trial, success, failures, and everything.
02:18I just took up that journey.
02:21And then here I am.
02:33I'm not completely defending the question.
02:37But I truly feel that the question when you say that the actresses are limited to glamorous role
02:44is something that has been changing from the last few years.
02:51I can point out a lot of great performances and very substantial role played by a lot of female actors
03:01in the last few years.
03:05I mean, I've loved Yami Ma'am and Huck.
03:09It was one of like a stand.
03:10I'm saying, I'm not saying that it's changing.
03:12Definitely, and I also believe that it is an actor's choice of what the actor wants to pick up.
03:20Like, if I am someone who would definitely pick up a very, in a commercial movie,
03:26if the role is commercial, I would like to dance.
03:29You know, I would like to do such role as well.
03:31So much of fun, glitz and glamour.
03:34And then I also, at the same time, would love to take up a role which is, you know, very
03:41deep.
03:42So much of performance to do.
03:45So, I like to navigate my career in both.
03:49I think, you know, the audience also demands all type of cinema.
03:55Talking about Rio Grande and South, we used to see that there used to be lots of substantial roles in
04:00South,
04:01especially for the actresses.
04:04They used to have very short roles or very small type of role or basically behind the actor.
04:10So, but nowadays, do you think that the South industry is changing and there are more substantial roles for the
04:15actresses also?
04:17Okay.
04:18So, when you say South, it's Malayalam, it's Tamil, it's Kannada and Telugu.
04:24And then in between, so I just, it doesn't come from my heart to just say South industry because I
04:31feel all those four industries are very prominent
04:34and they make fantastic films.
04:37They have made fantastic films over the decades.
04:43Okay.
04:43There was a time, a brief period of time, probably early 2000s, I would notice that the roles of females
04:51got really limited
04:52and, you know, the cinema went into a very, very commercial, you know, what we call as the commercial space
04:59where the role of a female actor is limited.
05:02But I look cinema, you know, I watch a lot of cinema.
05:08The times when Sridevi Garu or there was a time when Savatri Ma'am and the roles created by a
05:18lot of actresses,
05:19like my favorite actor, I will call her superstar, Urvashi Ma'am.
05:23She has done, ruled all the industries, has worked with all the top actors and been on par.
05:29And the superstar Vijayashandi Garu, who is also from Telugu, Shobana Ma'am has explored the entire Indian terrain of
05:37all industries.
05:38She has worked in Hindi also.
05:41So, I, there's a movie done by Ramya Krishna Ma'am.
05:46It's called Padayapa in Tamil.
05:47Where you see that she is standing as a villain, female villain as tall as superstar Rajnegaansar.
05:54Anushka Ma'am did Arundhadi, the female centric blockbuster and it was a blockbuster in all, in every state.
06:02So, that, she, so, I see that.
06:06So, when you just say, okay, the female's roles are, you know, limited,
06:11probably it's because there is a lot more the South offered, but it did not reach here.
06:19Lot of the great films that, you know, at that time there was, you know, the OTT was not there
06:27and the dubbing, dubbing, dubbing the film from the native language to Hindi also was not happening that much.
06:34That happened much later.
06:37And initially there was, the films that was mostly dubbed were very commercial, commercial films.
06:44More of entertainment and fight and songs and all that.
06:48If you get to the crux of cinema in all the four major film industries in South,
06:55you will see that the industry has a lot more to offer.
06:59And if I missed any of the names, I'm really sorry, but there are great female superstars there.
07:07Talking about upcoming projects of Swimlu, you underwent intense training in R3, horse riding, mountain climbing.
07:16Does the level of dedication come purely from fashion?
07:19Or is there also an underlying pressure in the constantly to prove yourself?
07:27I'm not in a space where I'm pressurizing myself to prove myself.
07:33It is a bit of pressure, but it is not something that affects me negatively.
07:38Like I'm not burning in that pressure, but it's rather pushing me and inspiring me.
07:44So my dreams and, you know, what I want to achieve keeps pushing me and inspiring me all the time.
07:50And as an actor, I believe that I have to take up if I like a role and then I
07:57need to do it what it takes to make that role the best.
08:01So I just gave my best shot and I trained myself in it because I don't want to use any
08:07dupes for any of the shot.
08:09The role involved a lot of stunts, which everything was new to me.
08:12I just bravely took that up.
08:16As you know that at the time, it involved a lot of stunts.
08:19So you win sustained injuries while performing action sequences.
08:23Do you feel athletes have taken risks only when they post their physical limits?
08:28Hmm, no.
08:31It is not.
08:32Again, pointing in, you know, that to a lot of, see, I did not.
08:38So the power, the idea of power is not just physical power, it's also mental power.
08:44Lot of characters are designed that way as well.
08:47This character in particular, which I took up, yes, it involves a lot of stunts.
08:52But I don't think that there is a general categorization where, you know, the female actors are seen and credited
08:59only when they do a lot of stunts.
09:02Uh, political dramas often, as you are doing a political drama also with Amazon.
09:06So political dramas are often dealt with sensitive narratives.
09:09So do you feel you are stepping into a controversy or a political mystery space?
09:16Controversy and controversy happening is not in my hands.
09:19Somewhere, I have realized that you cannot control the narratives that come, you know, later after you do something.
09:26So it's not in my hands and I don't think that the show, you know, the, what I have committed
09:32is a very controversial stuff.
09:34It is a deep look, in-depth look into, yes, a political structure in a area, but I don't think
09:43it will be controversial.
09:55I am someone who believes in the truth of storytelling and once the character is written with truth and depth,
10:04and the film and the character demands it and I believe that the director will be able to, will be
10:09able to show that in a very,
10:11everybody has their own aesthetics and they believe in their, and I believe that everybody has the right to have
10:18their own choices.
10:19Neither do I judge someone for making a very bold choice as everyone says.
10:25No, neither, I, you know, I will not feel anything if someone judges me also for making a choice.
10:31I make a choice, I stand with it.
10:33And my choice completely depends on if I feel the character here and if that scene is really necessary or
10:40just, you know,
10:41if it is just pushed into the narrative, I am going to say no for it.
10:48Yeah.
10:49Yeah.
10:50So, directed by Kuri Jaganda.
10:52Yes.
10:52And he is a very commercial type of filmmaker.
10:56So, working alongside powerful performers like Sethupati and Tabuth, do you see pressure or do you see healthy competition that
11:04elevates yourself?
11:05Neither pressure, no competition.
11:07Both was not there.
11:09I, actors should not compete with each other on the set because it is the beautiful rhythm and the camaraderie
11:17between the actors that brings the best on screen, not a competition.
11:21Even whatever sort of competition that is, it shouldn't be there.
11:24There should be mutual respect and, you know, the give and take is there.
11:28So, on set, as a co-actor, we just give and we take.
11:33That's a process.
11:33I don't feel that, you know, that any sort of competition with my co-actors.
11:38I would rather humbly learn from them if I see something.
11:41I do observe a lot when I see actors around me whom I admire for their body of work.
11:48And then coming to pressure, no.
11:50I walk in, these days at least, I walk into set with full confidence and a smiling face.
11:57So, how was the experience working with Sethupati and Tabu Ma'am?
12:00Brilliant.
12:01They are brilliant, brilliant, brilliant actors.
12:05I have seen Sethu sir's acting.
12:08You know, I don't have to speak about it but few of the characters that he has done, I admire
12:14to the core.
12:15Tabu Ma'am, you know, she has a strength, a quite, that strength and an aura.
12:23And again, I have grown up watching her performances and movies.
12:27Watching both of them, one thing I saw that, you know, the actors that they are, it's because they internalize
12:33the character a lot.
12:34I mean, they come, they are thorough with their lines.
12:38When shooting for Slumdog, we had to deliver the lines.
12:41And Sethu sir's, you know, everyone had to deliver the lines both in Tamil and Telugu as well.
12:45We shot scenes simultaneously.
12:48And how they come prepared and just, you know, that emotion, how they internalize and we feel that it's just
12:55coming from within.
12:56As a co-actor, when I have to react in such situations, I just have to keenly just listen to
13:04it.
13:04And all the reactions will come on my face.
13:06That's, I felt that that's because the depth that they are putting in their acting.
13:12Talking about Puri Chalyman films, which are often larger than life.
13:16So, does your character have strong favors or does it lean more towards a typical character?
13:21Okay.
13:21So, it is usually commercial, but the, again, Puri sir's film, there are a lot of interesting films that, you
13:27know, are not, so all are very, very big, big hit films.
13:32Yes, there are a lot of commercial films, but there are a lot of other interesting films as well.
13:37This film is a, it will be a very different Puri sir's film, Puri sir's film.
13:42Talking about Black Bolt, you play a powerful police officer in the film.
13:47So, does the character come with realistic flaws or is it more appropriate?
13:52Quite realistic.
13:54There have been times when, you know, my director felt that, okay, this character deserves some little elevation and he
14:01has given me that, not denying it.
14:03I was not completely up for it because it was new to me because I had done a lot of
14:07organic, real performances.
14:10So, sometimes just giving a stylish look itself was not easy for me, but he eased me out into such
14:17spaces.
14:18And that is not much, but it is there, but the story entirely is a very practical take on how
14:28this character, who had a different lifestyle, who had a certain lifestyle and upbringing, approach the situations or the circumstances
14:41that comes into her life, in her professional life, how she deals that is the story about.
14:48Wow.
14:49I just said that in a way, in a way that I don't reveal the story.
14:56Talking about your film, Vence with Rokesh, being part of Rokesh Kangra's Cinematic Universe,
15:02do you see it's a major career leap or also others given to them understand expectations?
15:09There is a lot of expectation about the film because every other day I can see one person, at least
15:14one person just coming into my DM or my comment section asking for Ben's update.
15:20As of now, I can say that the film is under production and it will be released soon.
15:26Speaking about the big leap in career, I think that can happen from any films and I take up films
15:33and scripts believing that this is the next step in my career.
15:38You are often labeled as a content driven actor.
15:41So, has this position ever limited your chances of being commercial entertainment?
15:45I have done commercial films.
15:47I very recently did a film called Aghanda 2, which was an out and right commercial film and a very
15:54commercial character also.
15:55I don't think that, yes, I had, because I come from Malayalam film industry and that industry, the way, the
16:03place that taught me a lot and then, you know, which is the base and foundation for my career, for
16:08my acting career.
16:10The actors over there and the storytellers over there are heavily into true stories, true emotions.
16:19So, even when I stepped out of the industry, my primary, you know, intention was always to be part of
16:28great stories only.
16:31Even when I commit a commercial film, I do look for some depth and truth in the character.
16:40You say, in today's time, social media has been a lot of different times. Do you think visibility has become
16:48more important than acting?
16:51I have not really pondered into it because I was not so much into social media for the last two
16:56years.
16:56I think it depends heavily on my mood. If I am in the mood for posting, I just post. I
17:02just don't.
17:03I would say that my character speaks for itself and I get my roles and opportunities depends on what performance
17:11I did in my previous films.
17:13And if needed, I am also ready to step in and if I really like a filmmaker, I am okay
17:19just, you know, asking that if I can do a film and I am also open to auditioning for it.
17:24I am not under the pressure of, okay, only if I am seen so much on the social media that
17:28I will get roles. I am not in that pressure.
17:31Okay, if you had to choose between a mass blockbuster and a critically acclaimed performer, which one do you define
17:37for?
17:40Mass performer or critically acclaimed actor? Both.
17:49And do you feel used to try to break out the underrated type?
17:56I don't think that I am underrated.
18:00And honestly, what is stronger today? Samyutta as a brand or Samyutta as an actor?
18:07Samyutta is an actor.
18:10And why?
18:12Because that's my primary intention of being here in this field of work. I don't even say that it is
18:19my field of work but because I love cinema and I am loving the art of filmmaking.
18:26And that art, like I think I am, you know, I have taken a very, I just don't see this
18:33as just a work or a profession but I look at it very spiritually also.
18:38Okay.
18:39Last week, when can we see you in the position of Bollywood?
18:43Very soon.
18:45Last week, what did you have to give to your fans?
18:48I love them.
18:50I love them.
18:50It is their love and support and constructive criticism as well which helps me grow and which is helping me
18:55growing.
18:56So, send it to me. All the love. Thank you so much.
19:06My all time favourite actor in Bollywood is Shah Rukh Khan. I don't know, I would say it was in
19:17my bled because my mom is a very big Shah Rukh Khan fan.
19:21His film on a TV screen, I didn't feel that I have a choice even to not like him.
19:28And then my, after a point my mother kept, how many times have you watched Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gam?
19:33I would say probably 50 but I don't mind. I still watch it. I still watch it.
19:37Because I can watch him on screen and his offline persona, his interviews, his TEDx, when he describes, there is
19:49this one question where an interviewer asked him about treating a woman.
19:55The answer that he gave is four generations. Just, you know, so I find him, I admire him.
20:04I am definitely waiting for a chance to just meet him, God willing work with him.
20:10Lastly, what kind of message do you have to go to your family?
20:13I love them. I gave that message already.
20:17Thank you for your family.
20:20So, as I said before, I felt that they own me and I love the fact that they own me.
20:27Because there is a lot of love in that.
20:31Sometimes when I do things which are very little, sometimes, you know, they love watching, seeing me in a saree
20:36or something.
20:37And if I wear a modern dress, they will probably ask me, why ma'am?
20:42Let's, you look very beautiful in saree.
20:44So, I like the way how they just own me.
20:47And it is their love which is the inspiration and the sole reason why, which keeps me going.
20:52So, I want that love to, you know, keep coming my way all the time.
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