Actress Krithi Shetty, who has previously appeared in bilingual Telugu-Tamil projects like Warriorr and Custody, is now set to make a significant mark in Tamil cinema. She is gearing up for the release of not one, but three direct Tamil films in quick succession: Vaa Vaathiyaar, Love Insurance Kompany (LIK), and Genie. In an exclusive conversation, the actress opened up about her strategic career choices, her definition of success, and her journey of growth in the film industry.
Three Distinct Fantasy Worlds Await
Krithi Shetty revealed that while it wasn't a planned move, her first three solo Tamil ventures are all set to release almost back-to-back. She sees it as the universe aligning opportunities for her. Interestingly, all three fall under the broad umbrella of fantasy but explore vastly different realms.
Genie is rooted in magical realism, offering a blend of the everyday with the extraordinary. Love Insurance Kompany (LIK) is a futuristic tale, and Vaa Vaathiyaar delves into mystical themes. The actress pointed out that the intricate post-production work required for such visually ambitious films is what led to their longer making periods.
She shared insights into her characters, stating that her role as Dheema in LIK explores the sensibilities and persona of a future-generation girl. In contrast, her character in Genie is much closer to her real-life self, especially in how she interacts with loved ones.
Philosophy on Competition, Success, and Growth
When asked about competition in the industry, Krithi Shetty had a clear and positive perspective. She finds the term "competition" to be inherently negative. She firmly believes there is ample space for everyone to thrive and succeed. Her approach is centered on self-improvement, supporting peers, and collective growth rather than viewing others as rivals.
For Krithi, success has a dual meaning. While box office earnings are an obvious form of audience validation that everyone hopes for, her personal metric is different. "Success, for me, is just my directors being happy with my performance," she said, emphasizing the importance of having a peaceful mind to focus on honing her craft, detached from materialistic gains.
Her dream role? A warrior princess. To prepare for potential action-oriented parts, she has been diligently training in Taekwondo for nearly a year, enjoying the process of stepping out of her comfort zone.
Memorable Collaborations and Learning Curves
Krithi fondly recalled her experience working with Vijay Sethupathi in Uppena. Being very young and new at the time, Sethupathi advised her to see him as a father figure to feel comfortable on set. This bond was so strong that she now feels it might be odd to be paired opposite him in a film.
She also expressed immense gratitude towards co-star Mamitha Baiju, who dubbed for her character in the Malayalam film ARM, calling her work "phenomenal" and crediting her for elevating the performance.
Reflecting on her other co-stars, Krithi shared warm anecdotes:
- Karthi: Her fandom for him only grew after meeting him. She praised him as selfless, secure, and always bringing positive energy to the set.
- Pradeep Ranganathan: Described as energetic and passionate with excellent film knowledge and judgment.
- SJ Suryah: Called brilliant and utterly unique, with a daily work ethic that she finds inspiring.
- Ravi Mohan: Noted for being sweet, gentle, and funny, often lightening the mood on set.
Krithi Shetty acknowledges that cinema is a powerful and influential medium, which makes her thoughtful about her choices. However, she also embraces the learning process, accepting that she is still a "baby" in the world of films. She is open to making mistakes, learning from them, and evolving as an artiste. She advocates for viewing on-screen portrayals, including age gaps between co-stars, as acts of performance that shouldn't be taken out of context.
With this mindful and dedicated approach, Krithi Shetty is poised to captivate Tamil audiences and continue her exciting journey in Indian cinema.
