Karishma awaits a Kollywood call

CHENNAI: 06/02/2016: ACTOR KARIHMA TANNA, during an interview with The Hindu, in Chennai . Photo: R. Ravindran

When the Hindi-Tamil thriller I released last year, Bollywood actor, dancer and Bigg Boss 8 runner-up Karishma Tanna made sure she watched it (the Hindi version), for two reasons. One, her boyfriend Upen Patel made his debut under Shankar’s direction. And two, she happens to be a big fan of Kollywood films. “The movie was so amazing and innovative. I loved Upen’s work and I think Vikram is a fabulous actor. Overall, I feel that southern cinema, in itself, has taken over the film industry with its content, stories and screenplay,” says Karishma, who has acted in just one South Indian movie — I Am Sorry Mathe Banni Preethsona (Kannada film) previously.

“If given an opportunity, I would love to act in Tamil movies, with actors like Rajinikanth, Suriya, Vikram and Ajith,” she said, at the launch of the Spring Summer Collection 2016 at Splash, Express Avenue Mall. Having spent a major part of her childhood in her aunt’s house (who is married to a Tamilian), she developed a taste for South Indian food that is not restricted to just idli and dosa, but also moru kootu, pongal, curd and sambar rice; and learnt a few phrases like ‘Inge Va’ and ‘Ange Po’. While she seems all ready to take up a Tamil project, Karishma currently is also busy with the popular Indian youth reality series Love School , which she hosts with Upen Patel.

“It is very different hosting and judging a show like

Love School ; it was unlike acting in a movie or series, or being part of a reality show. But I keep telling myself that I have just one life, and I have to make the most of it,” she says.

While Karishma has been part of a number of Hindi serials like

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi , Kkusum , Adaalat and others, her big break was Bigg Boss . “It brought me fame because for four-and-a-half months, I was on TV every day for an hour. It was a lovely experience, and it has helped me move ahead. I always knew that I will be in the top five, because I speak my heart and I take a stand,” she says.