08 September,2009 08:47 AM IST | | Manju Shettar
Umashri, the Bangalore actress who won the national award for best actress yesterday for her role in an art-house film, tells MiD DAY she's as happy doing a masala film
The jury announced a national award for Kannada actress Umashri yesterday, a little before she was to travel to Mysore.
It took the Bangalorean actress 275 films over 32 years to win the national award, but she has had a faithful fan following from her very first film.
Girish Kasaravalli's Gulabi Talkies won her the award yesterday. Umashri is also known in theatre circles for the brilliant portrayal of the lead character in the contemporary literary classic Odalala.
In a chat with MiD DAY, Umashri says the award is a dream come true.
How do you feel getting the national award?
My fans are much more happier than I am but this award has fulfilled all my aspirations.
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Did you expect this award for your previous roles?
I had done supporting roles till I got the lead role in Gulabi Talkies.
Actually, I should have got the best actress award for my role as Putmalli (in Putnanja), but I missed it because it was a remake.
Do you believe that acting in Kasaravalli's films can get you awards?
I would like to believe it's true because he portrays the characters very neatly.
Which do you like moreu00a0 theatre or cinema?
I do not believe there is a difference between theatre and cinema except in terms of technical skills.
They are equal platforms.
You have been an MLC. Has politics brought you any recognition?
I joined politics with a strong cultural background and politics helped recognise my existence here.
Why don't audiences watch art movies?
Previously, people used to watch art movies like Kaadu, Hamsageethe, and Bara...
We should encourage the audience to watch both art as well as commercial movies.
You have acted in films with N S Rao where the dialogues had double entendre. And now, you've acted in the high-art Gulabi Talkies. Which character satisfied you more?
I've never thought about that. I have enjoyed the role of every character I've played so far. If I get a new offer which has dialogues with double meaning, I will definitely take up that offer.I liked the characters I played in Swabhimana, Gol Mal Radhakrishna, and Kothigalu Sar Kothigalu.u00a0
