Usha Uthup: Make me a bartender, mother, sister, lover or grandmom — I just want to act

When you have style, oomph and an unmistakable ‘cool’ quotient, you have it all. Usha Uthup is known for her unique personality; be it wearing a mirchi print sari, Kanjeevaram sneakers, large bindis or even when she belts out numbers in the voice of a sexy young siren.
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With a career that spans over four decades, the singer, who was last seen in 'Saat Khoon Maaf', is raring to go as an actor.“Just to be on the set with Naseeruddin Shah, Annu Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra was such an amazing experience. I have acted with big names like Amitabh Bachchan, Mammootty and Kamal Haasan. When people saw me with Mammootty, they assumed that I was a trained actor. Actually, I am a director’s actor and emoting well is my USP. This, I believe, comes from my music, where the emotional quotient is very high. Acting is an extension of my music and I just love it,” she says. A grandmother of two, Usha adds, “I think I am good at it. Make me a bartender, mother, sister, lover or grandmom — I just want to act.”
She has been an icon when it comes to making fashion statements. “My middle-class upbringing was the reason I stuck to saris and later, when I could afford it, I would hunt for silks and mix and match the styles and borders. Tall border saris began to be called Usha Uthup saris,” she reveals. Her fancy sneakers also have a story behind them. “Earlier, during shows, I had to stand for hours in stilettos. So, I began wearing sneakers on stage. One day, I experimented by sticking a border of a Kanjeevaram sari to my shoes, and now I have a series of such sneakers,” she adds.
On a parting note, the powerhouse stage performer, shares, “The secret of my energy is what I get from my audiences. It is a give and take. I give everything I have on stage, I do my best and leave the rest to God.”
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Listen to Usha Uthup's songs on Gaana.com
WATCH: Usha Uthup Croons For Kangana Ranaut