Umashree new crown

[Interview by IndiaGlitz]

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

The peerless actress in Kannada cinema and television with a strong theatre back up the 52 years Umashree is brimming with happiness not because she bagged her first national award for her performance in �Gulabi Talkies� that was announced yesterday but because of everyone feeling happy about the award coming to her. A former Congress-I Member of Legislative Council now very active Congress I state committee member Umashree is better known as comedy actress in the initial days of her career. She later became a mother and grandmother on Kannada screen in some of the films. She has acted in all top stars Kannada cinema and maintained the steady record for lovely performance.

People satisfaction, the media and industry response to my winning the national award is what made me very happy says the top actress speaking to this correspondent on her way from Mysore to Bangalore on Monday evening.

Nearly 375 films in Kannada with top track record in theatre � an actress compared to the range of Manorama of Tamil films � Umashree hold the first distinction in the country for bagging the State, National and International Award for one film that is �Gulabi Talkies�. The film was also screened in the last year Indian Panorama section of IFFI.

Excerpts of an interview:

You are the first one to get state, national and international award for one film?

This is what I hear from everyone. In the 2007-2008 Karnataka State award for best actress, now the national award and earlier to this I got the Ocean International Film Festival award along with the best film award for �Gulabi Talkies�. In the state award �Gulabi Talkies� was adjudged the first best film and in the national award it got the best regional award.

What do you have to say after winning the award?

I did not expect it. I knew the film is in the competition at the national level. Throughout my career of 375 films I did not expect awards. It came on the merit. For �Sangya Balya� I got the state award long time ago. I knew one thing.

What is more interesting news from your side?

The top ranking director Girish Kasaravalli does not repeat the main lead in his films. After �Gulabi Talkies� I am working again in his film �Kanasemba Kudureya Benneri�. The film is going on the floors on 20th of this month. I play the female lead although the key role centers on a male character. The shooting is beginning at Bijapur district.

What was the contribution of Girish Kasaravalli in shaping your role in �Gulabi Talkies�?

I owe this award to Girishji and producer Basanthkumar Patil. I got to know lot of things while shooting for this film. Story is the main and next is the role I have played in �Gulabi Talkies�.

With your experience in film industry from last three decades is it difficult for you to take up direction?

Direction is not an easy job. I have not learnt anything related to it yet. Even production of a film is also a difficult task.

When you reached the 50th year you talked about a few things�..

I still have that in mind. I should acknowledge the film, television and theatre in a very notable way. I am working on it.

National award is dreams come true for you�.

I never chased any dreams. In the Girish Kasaravalli direction Dr Jayamala, Thara also got the national honor for Thai Saheba and Haseena respectively. Only Soundarya missed it in �Dweepa�. I follow the sincere and hard work.

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