I never planned to be what I am today: Asha Sharath

Asha Sharath is a superstar of sorts; straddling a career in acting and dance while also being a smart homemaker. After debuting on small screen, she went on to do movies in all the South film industries and bagged roles with stalwarts Mohanlal, Mammootty, Kamal Haasan and Prabhu.
In a candid chat, the actress tells us about the biggest appreciation she received till date, being considered an inspiration by many and working in Tamil film industry.
You have acted with Kamal Haasan in Papanasam and Thoongavanam. Did it become easier working with him in the second movie? I was awestruck by Kamal sir only for the first shot of Papanasam. After that, it was very comfortable to act with him in both the movies. If you let yourself be intimidated by the superstardom of the likes of Kamal Haasan, Lalettan and Mammukka, you would never be able to act with them. Thinking of them as characters makes it easy to act, especially while doing roles like that of a tough cop in Drishyam and Papanasam.
How comfortable are you working in the Tamil industry? I watch Tamil movies. I am familiar with the language also because I am a dancer. My last Tamil movie Thoongavanam was shot in Telugu too, which was tough. It was a different experience, nonetheless. I am fortunate that Kamal sir called me to act as his pair in Thoongavanam. I have also signed up another Tamil movie that will begin shooting next year.
How important was the role in Drishyam to your acting career? It was pivotal. Inspector General Geetha Prabhakar was a character that changed my life. I could never visualise myself as a police officer so it was one of those unexpected roles, because of which I got to work in several languages in South India.
What was the biggest appreciation that you have received so far? Tamil film icon late K Balachander, whom I have always held in high esteem, reviewed Drishyam and wrote how he felt about each character. On my performance, he praised, “Aah… Asha.” That compliment made me the happiest. I didn’t know him personally, so I couldn’t thank him. But as fate would have it, I told Prabhu sir this while we were doing the Kannada version of Drishyam. He immediately connected me to Balachander sir, who said, “God is with you and welcome to Tamil cinema”. I don’t know what made him say that because I hadn’t signed up Papanasam then. But his blessings and compliment were the biggest awards.
I was also happy when my director was impressed with my performance. Jeethu Joseph is not someone who is vocal about his appreciation. If he likes your work, he has a special smile to signal it. I was able to see that twice, after Drishyam and Papanasam.
Did you ever think you would be an inspiration to a lot of woman your age by just following your passion? I never planned to be what I am today. But somewhere deep inside, there must have been an actress. I was always passionate about dance. I knew I wanted rhythm to be part of me as long as I live. Acting just happened.I live in Dubai and many ladies I meet there tell me, “We see the women in us shine through you”. They say that through me, they see their wish to manage art, profession and family together getting fulfiled. I keep telling them anyone can do it all. After talking to a lot of people, I thought I should give them a platform and so, I have started a special course for mothers in my dance schools in the United Arab Emirates. It trains and polishes the skill of women who are into performing arts or playing instruments. Through this venture I am trying to make the dreams of many women come true. Last month, a 65-year-old grandmother joined the classes. She told me, “When you give us a venue and tell us we can do it, then nothing would stop us from performing on stage”. I was elated to hear it.
Where does your inspiration come from? When the opportunities started coming, my husband and children were the ones who encouraged me the most. There were times I was hesitant about taking up roles, even that of Geetha IPS. But my daughter said “Amma, you can”. I think having such an encouraging family has been my inspiration.
You have never repeated a character in your movie career. Is it a conscious choice or are variety roles coming your way? Both. I want to do different characters. I started off with cameo roles in Friday and Karmayodha before I got Drishyam. Then I played a writer in Buddy, a journalist in Angels and a selfish wife in Varsham. In my current project Anuraga Karikkin Vellam, I play a docile wife. It’s a diametrically opposite role to Geetha IPS. I also want to play a a dancer. In my upcoming release Pavada, I play a very different role – something that I have never done before. But I can't reveal it now.
What’s your criteria for choosing movies? I don’t just look at my character. I see how the movie is, the other characters and where my role fits in. I don’t emphasise that I want to play the lead or want lengthy screen time or don’t bother even about the age of the character.
Your next Malayalam projects? I have Pavada, Anuraga Karikkin Vellam and King Liar, which will be shot in Dubai. I am ready to give as many dates as they want for that movie. For me it’s not practical to do movies at a stretch. I have a family and my daughters are still at school. So, I have to be selective about the movies and manage my time.