'Tripura is not a dark, morbid film'

'I have more respect for this kind of cinema,' actress Swati tells Radhika Rajamani.

Actress Swati straddles Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam cinema with ease. After hits like Swamy Ra Ra and Karthikeya in Telugu, she is ready with Raj Kiran's Tripura -- a suspense movie where she has a substantial role.

In this interview with Rediff.com contributor Radhika Rajamani, Swati discusses the horror film.

Did you sign the film because it had a substantial role for you?

Definitely. It was well worth the wait. But it is not a heroine-oriented role.

You seem to sport traditional attire in it?

Yes, it is a traditional film. This is by far my most mainstream film, a suspense film which one should take lightly, an entertainer.

It will be a ride filled with chills and thrills. There will be laughter and unexpected twists.

The suspense is maintained till the end in the film. It is a horror film but not dark or morbid. It is not a multiplex film. It is something new for me.

How challenging was it for you?

I have more respect for this kind of cinema. It is easy to act in cinema which you can partially relate to. I could not relate to the experience of paranormal activity or being married but one should make it believable. To play roles you relate to is easier. I don’t relate to any of the characters I played. They were built on believable platform for me.

Once I hear the script, it keeps replaying in my head. I keep calling up my director to clear things.

Once I go on location, I leave it to the directors as I respect them.

Luckily, I have directors who listen. So it has been give and take. In this case, the director believed in paranormal activity.

In fact, I was shooting three films at the same time -- Double Barrel in Malayalam where I played Laila wearing a mini skirt with a bob-cut and was smoking cigarettes; Yatchan In Tamil, where I played a confident, dominating role and Tripura, where I am a coy and traditional girl.

I am blessed as I could slip into the roles and switch on and off.

It was also because of the teams. All the teams were passionate.

Could you throw more light on the character you play?

She is a village girl who has reached marriageable age but is still unmarried. She gets dreams and the film is about how her parents take her to a hospital where she meets Dr Naveen (played by Navin Chandra).

You are paired opposite Naveen Chandra for the first time. How was it working with him?

He is very decent. I am very happy I worked with a nice co-star. He is passionate and wants to prove himself. He is a sincere and grounded guy who is close to his family.

Were you impressed with director Raj Kiran’s directorial abilities in Geetanjali?

I was impressed with his process of filmmaking. He is confident about a few things. He knows he is making an entertainer and wants people to see it. His clarity draws respect from me. He is transparent.

How was it working with Rao Ramesh and Sapthagiri?

I worked with Sapthagiri for the first time. He plays my mama and it is a sweet friendship.

Rao Ramesh plays the psychiatric head. Both these actors improvise and are fabulous to watch.

You have completed a decade in films. Your first film Danger released in 2005. How has the journey been?

It has been 13 years since I began with television (the show Colors). If it wasn’t for the show, this wouldn’t have happened.

I have become more patient with myself, accepted life with its ups and downs, learning to embrace the present, making a conscious effort to cut off negativity.

I am learning to like myself, focus on getting better with each film and seeing the bright side of life. Then, good things start happening to you too!