For Shraddha Das, the true allure of a role lies in its depth. “A layered character excites me,” she states, emphasizing that this instinct guides her career choices. Her recent OTT project captured her interest due to the director’s esteemed work, a script rich with character arcs, and the opportunity to act alongside Konkona Sen.
Shraddha, who has built a diverse career across various languages and platforms, prioritizes substance over screen time, never aiming to play ‘only’ lead roles. She finds satisfaction in contributing to multiple narrative tracks within a series, seeing it as a rewarding progression from her earlier work in smaller roles across different languages.
Reflecting on her journey, Shraddha notes, “I’ve done this without a film background or a big launch.” She began her path as a singer, but a chance encounter led her to acting. After training with National School of Drama artists and facing numerous auditions, her Hindi film debut in ‘Lahore’ took years to materialize. During that period, she actively worked in regional cinema, with her Telugu film success making her a household name and ensuring consistent work.
She highlights the unique perks of catering to regional audiences, particularly their unwavering loyalty and deep connection with artists, regardless of role size. Shraddha observes significant differences in the industry systems, especially regarding PR. “In the South, there’s no paid PR,” she explains, noting the faster pace of signing films and releases. In contrast, Bollywood requires constant visibility. However, she cherishes the strong audience-star connection in the South, where loyalty translates into dedicated viewership.
Finally, Shraddha touches upon audience awareness, stating that while people are more informed now, their sensitivity hasn’t changed. The key difference, she believes, is the proliferation of platforms for expression, shifting from limited critical reviews to widespread public commentary.