I never thought I would act in a South Indian film : Lavanya

Two years after she made her debut in Telugu, Lavanya Tripathi is still referred to as Midhuna, the character she had played in Andala Rakshasi. In fact, she left such a strong impression that some of the filmmakers she has worked with have reportedly asked her to emote the same way she did in her debut film.
���It feels nice that people still remember what I had done two years ago, but seriously, I want to do all kinds of films.Initially, I had reservations about certain things in the industry and even today, my approach towards work is a little different. It has taken me a while to ���fit in��� mentally in this industry and I think I���m more at ease now,��� explains Lavanya.
In search of strong characters
After a brief lull, the actress is juggling between the sets of three of her upcoming films and in a way, it seems like she has too much on her plate all of a sudden. So how does it feel to make a comeback, of sorts, after almost a year? ���It���s not a comeback. It���s been less than a year since my previous film Doosukeltha released and I played a cameo in Manam. I feel it���s better to take your time and sign films where you have a strong character, than taking up films on a trot,��� explains the native of Dehradun.
Currently, she���s shooting for an untitled bilingual film, where she���s cast opposite Vaibhav Reddy and it���s got her all excited. ���I think very few actresses have played a role like this, which is why I am even more nervous about it. I���ve been part of the film right from its inception. It���s not really a bilingual since the Telugu and Tamil versions are being directed by two different directors, who have their own vision and sensibilities.And every day, I���ve to shoot for both the versions. It���s crazy,��� she says.
Luck by chance
Long before she made her debut in films, Lavanya was certain that she would become a fashion designer. ���I grew up in Dehradun and I was the most pampered kid. When I was young, I used to sketch so much that my parents were confident I would take up a course in fashion designing. But life took a U turn when I participated in a beauty pageant in Uttarakhand. Then, I enrolled for an acting workshop; however, my mother wasn���t ready to let me go to Mumbai and try my luck in films. Then, a TV crew from Mumbai arrived in Dehradun and offered me a small role in the show. Eventually, my mother allowed me to go to study in Mumbai and also work there. Interestingly, every time I went to a coffee shop in Mumbai to hang out with friends, someone or the other would walk up to me and offer me work in commercials or films. It does sound strange, but it���s true,��� recalls Lavanya.
The Telugu connection
Although it���s been a while since she has made Mumbai her home, she keeps going back to Dehradun to meet her family. ���I wouldn���t be here if not for the support of my family and I miss them a lot. I wouldn���t do anything which would disappoint them. Now that I work in Hyderabad, I���ve grown very fond of the city. It reminds me so much of Dehradun. Every time I go back to my home town, my skin becomes softer and clearer,��� she laughs.
Now that she���s part of the Telugu film industry, she has been making a conscious effort to learn Telugu. ���Long back, I acted in a TV commercial where I had to say a dialogue in Telugu. I found it so difficult that I just couldn���t do it. I felt like there was acid in my mouth. After that, I never thought that I would, one day, act in a Telugu movie,��� she laughs, adding, ���I���ve been working hard on my lines. Every night I sit down in my room to learn my dialogues. Sometimes, I seriously wish I was like Chinmayi,who seems to know all the languages.���
Aiming for perfection
Unlike several actresses, who have had to struggle to find a breakthrough in films, Lavanya���s story is a tad bit different. ���I haven���t gone through hardships like others have, and have always been a laid-back person. It���s just been two years since I began acting in films, but I���ve understood that you have to be smart to go a long way here,��� she says. No wonder, she takes her work seriously and admits that it takes a toll on her. ���People watch films and say that all we actors do is smile and dance. But it���s not an easy job. Acting takes a lot of effort and it drains me out physically and mentally. I suppose that���s a price I���m ready to pay in an attempt to push myself to the limit,��� she signs off.