good South film is better than a bad Hindi movie

A good South film is better than a bad Hindi movie

Calendar girl Saiyami Kher, niece of actress Tanvi Azmi, talks to us about her Tollywood debut

Sarah Salvadore

She is the latest star kid on the filmi block. Making her movie debut with a Telugu film is Saiyami Kher, Tanvi Azmi's niece and granddaughter of yesteryear actress Usha Kiran. A model by profession, who shot to fame as a Calendar girl, Saiyami is currently busy shooting in the city for "Rey" starring Sai Dharam Tej, Ram Charan Tej's cousin. "It's been a great learning experience for me. I couldn't have asked for a better start, plus I love coming back to Hyderabad," says Saiyami. Excerpts from a chat.
Why choose a Telugu flick as your debut?
I have been waiting for a good Hindi film script to come my way even when I was busy with my modeling career. I auditioned for a Telugu movie sometime ago and even though they liked me, nothing materialized. Later, I got a call from YVS Chowdary's office saying they wanted me on board for Tej's debut film, "Rey". I discussed it with my family and decided that it would be a good start to my career if I work with an experienced director from down South as they are known to be tough task masters.
But given your family background, wouldn't it be easier for you to bag a Hindi film?
Honestly, nothing is easy in the industry. I have been trying very hard to bag a good film. But unfortunately, nothing really moved forward on that front. Whenever I was offered a film, I consulted Tanvi maasi and Shabana (Azmi) maasi and the script didn't live up to our expectations. See, I don't want to do a Hindi film just for the heck of it. And my maasis have been going out of their way to help me — be it by promoting me or helping me choose the right film. I'd rather make my debut in a 'good movie' irrespective of the language, than a bad Hindi film.
So you have no qualms about your aunts helping you out?
Why should I have any issues about that? I think any young actor would be fortunate to get career advice from actors like Tanvi and Shabana. And I'm no different. In fact, I openly admit to them helping me out, unlike other kids from star families. Be it my Hindi diction or films that are offered to me, my aunts take great interest in me and I'm fortunate to have that.
But isn't riding on your family background a little tricky considering it could put a lot of pressure on you as an actor?
Well, I'm aware of that. My grandmother was a wellknown name in Marathi cinema and my aunt is a powerhouse performer herself. So, people constantly ask me if I have acting skills like them. There isn't much I can say to that though. Yes, I inherited my looks from my mother, Uttara, who was Miss India in 1982 and my dad, who was a model himself. I really hope I've inherited the acting gene from my grandmom and my aunt. How confident are you of your acting skills?
I'm very confident. I know people think that pretty faces can't act, but it's not like I'm riding on my looks to see me through films. I have done my share of theater and acting workshops, done a couple of music videos... And come on, I'm not a model who just landed into action. I have always been clear that I wanted to be an actor. Modeling came in later when Atul Kasbekar discovered me. Plus, my family is always there to criticize me if I don't do a good job. So, as far as acting is concerned, I'm pretty sure of what I can do on screen.
Your Telugu film has been in the making for sometime and wrought with a few issues, like the original heroine Shubra Aiyappa walking out…
Shubra walking out of the film was unfortunate. When that happened, YVS sir called me and asked me to come on board. Since Tej was injured and would take time to recover, it was unfair for Shubra to wait, so she let go of the project. Honestly, I have no qualms about stepping into her shoes because it is a good opportunity for me. And everyone on the sets has been really nice to me. My director is very patient and my hero, Tej, is very supportive.
Are you going to use Telugu films as a platform to find yourself a stronger foothold in Bollywood?
Like I said, I want to do good films and it doesn't matter to me if it is in Telugu, Tamil, Marathi or Hindi. In fact, I was offered a role in a big ticket Tamil film which didn't work out as I looked really young for the part. But yes, I would love to do Hindi films. Who wouldn't? And my dream debut would be with either of the three Khans — Salman, Shah Rukh, Aamir — or Ranbir Kapoor.
sarah.salvadore@timesgroup.com

Saiyami Kher