Sharanya Shetty on exploring different roles, local street food, and what’s next after Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi
There's an undeniable charm and star buzz around Bengaluru’s very own Sharanya Shetty and the actress holds a graceful command of the room without being too serious — an energy that can be uniquely attributed to her. Styled in an effortlessly chic outfit that mirrors the girl-next-door personality she resonates with, we recently caught up with the actress at the newest Azorte store opening at Phoenix Marketcity, Whitefield. As the artiste basks in the box-office success and positive reflections of Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi, she is looking forward to Dear Husband, a glimpse of which was presented online a few months ago. While there’s much more to learn about this project, Sharanya gets candid in this casual chat with Indulge where she opens up about being a multitasker, what her favourite Bengaluru spots are, how her time pursuing her engineering degree helped her prepare for showbiz and what is the style she resonates with beyond the screen and lots more.
Engineering to showbiz: Sharanya Shetty gets candid about multitasking, fitness and her favourite Bengaluru hangouts
Over the last few years, you’ve taken on a variety of genres and characters. What has always intrigued you about the art of acting and filmmaking since the days you balanced your engineering classes with your career?
About the choice of the characters, I can say versatility is my thing. I don’t like repeating myself. Learning is an everyday affair, so choosing a different script and a different character prompts me to do homework before going to set and probably that is my favourite part of the film. Furthermore, engineering has definitely taught me how to work under pressure. Whatever you give me, I’m best at managing it under pressure and it has also taught me time management — which is really important in the industry alongside discipline and hard work. Being a student during the pandemic, during two years of online classes, I was handling a fashion team and was good at studies — managing a great SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) score.
So, it’s safe to say that you are a pro multitasker?
Yes (laughs)! It is because of my father. He always believed in education and pushed me to do bigger things in life. That helped me balance my engineering and television. I was writing my exams and the next day I was on set. It was chaotic, but I definitely enjoyed the process — one has definitely helped the other.
And how has this journey with acting brought out the best version of you?
What I feel is — I live the moment. A normal person can live only one life, but as an actress, I’m privileged to live multiple lives in one. Someday I am a rich person, on another I’m a middle-class girl and on another I’m just the girl next door. I’m loving these drastic changes which I’m seeing in myself. Even at home, my parents say I am very moody, so every day I behave differently. As an actress, that channels into my work very well and the script helps me shape it.
As a rising Kannada star and a proper Bengaluru girl, your love for the city is well known. We’re sure that as a student here, you would’ve adopted it in your own unique way. What have been those specific local spots and memories that you revisit even today?
I did my pr- university course in Malleshwaram and walking down the streets of that locality was the best thing ever. Even now, despite going to any big restaurants and eating fancy things, if I go back to Malleshwaram and have that halfplate of gobi manchurian or that INR 25 pizza — that satisfies me a lot. I love street food (laughs)! Malleshwaram, Vijayanagar... all my major spots are street food ones because I love eating!
And do you follow any specific regimens for your well-being — both physical and mental?
Yes! I believe mental fitness is more important than physical, because if you’re menally fit, everything else can be managed. I go to work out every day and as for food habits — I eat a healthy, balanced diet. But I don’t quit everything because I love all kinds of food. I’m a balanced eater. As for mental fitness, I go to the temple because I like the energy and environment it gives me. Additionally, I do meditation and pranayama. At the age of 10, my mother taught me yoga and pranayama, which has been very beneficial for mental health. I also practice gratitude and manifestation. We always complain about what we don’t have, so I always channel my energy into what I already have and I’m very grateful to the universe for giving me that. As actors, we go on sets, meet different people and play a lot of characters, so our minds fluctuate. For us, especially, this journey is a must have.
Coming to your film career now, it has undeniably seen significant recognition, especially with the hit release of Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi. How has that success shaped how you approach upcoming scripts and your characters?
I did a very glamorous role there. People have known me as a ‘glamour doll.’ Now I want to break that — that is my next goal. I want to play a character on the opposite spectrum where everybody who has watched me in Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi would be surprised. I always believe people should call me the best actress — that is my major goal — more than appreciating my beauty or whatever. That is the first thing I look at when I see a script — how different it is from the last script I have done. That film has given me a lot, especially love and people’s recognition and I’m so grateful to the people of Karnataka for that. But within me, I don’t think anything has changed. Even now, to go and hear a script, I feel so excited. I feel like I’m a newbie even right now. That innocence and excitement should be there with me for a long time, that’s what I hope for.
What is your personal style aesthetic beyond showbiz?
Off-screen, I am very simple. I like minimalism; I like elegance. Of course, people will expect us to be glamorous as actors all the time, but I prefer comfort over anything else. I am just the girl next door, so that’s my vibe in real life.
With a very interesting project announced featuring you earlier this year, what can you tell us about your next big role?
This is one question everybody is asking me right now and all I have in mind is — I have to bring out a project where I make people proud. There is a project which I’m going to announce soon, so I’m pretty excited for that project now and regarding the character, I can assure you, you will be surprised!
Dear Husband hits screens soon.
Mail id: pranav.shriram@newindianexpress.com