An Exclusive Interview With Laya

The Nandi awards for the year 2002 have been announced and the award for the Best Actress went to Laya for her performance in Manoharam. In an industry which was full of girls from other languages, Laya is one girl who is from Andhra. Instead of restricting herself to any particular genre, Laya went about doing a variety of roles, ensuring herself a secure place in the industry.

Did you expect an award for your performance in Manoharam?
When I got the call, I simply couldn’t believe it. For quite some time, I thought somebody was out to make fun of me. Actually, I didn’t know that the awards were to be announced that day. Frankly, when director Gunasekhar narrated the role to me, he told me that the role would get me a Nandi award. I took up the challenge and put in a great effort. Now that it has come true, I’m happy that I could live up to his expectations.

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Though you have bagged various awards, commercially, you are not considered to be a happening heroine. How does it feel?
Yeah, it does hurt at times. Though my talent has been appreciated, it hasn’t got me substantial roles. But I sincerely believe that slow and steady will finally win the race. But young girls, who come from Mumbai, are outdoing each other in the number of films they are doing... They come and also go back at a similar pace. Tell me of one heroine who has firmly established herself. In fact, when you watch the film promos on television, you cannot make out one heroine from the other. It’s one’s abilities that will ensure a long run and I’m waiting for the right break.

Don’t you fear being out of the race, before getting the opportunity?
No. This award has only rejuvenated my spirits. This is the second consecutive year that I have bagged the award and I’m expecting one more for Preminchu. I’m sure, I’ll get the kind of films I’m waiting for.

But industry people feel that your homely looks have been detrimental to your career?
Exposing is different from playing glamour roles. If you take the case of Sridevi or Soundarya, they are both known for performance-oriented glamour roles. No heroine has made it to the top by merely exposing.

What are your hobbies?
When I was young, I won a chess championship under the age group of 10. I used to play a lot of football and volleyball but somewhere down the line, I concentrated more on my studies and computers.

Do you have any films on hand?
Akasam is complete. And the character of Sravani, the role that I play in the film, has shaped up very well. Then there is Gelupu, which again is a performance-based role. For a change, I’m doing a role with negative shades in Sivaramaraju. I will also be doing a Hindi film.

What kind of roles do you select?
I like to play a variety of roles, but I like to play a simple girl clad in a salwar kameez or a saree as that's the way I am in real life. So far, I have played innocent and simple characters such as a housewife, a college girl etc. My wish is to play a role that has negative shades to it... the kind of role which Kajol played in 'Gupt' or Urmila's character in the movie 'Kaun'. A kind of psychopathic role. I think that would be interesting.