Cinemimi[Friday, April 13, 2012] Sameera Reddy dreams of a supportive beau like Saif Ali Khan. Filmfare wishes her all the best
Sameera Reddy has reasons to rejoice. For one her career down South has hit big time. So much that the actress has no time to breathe. With endorsements and movie projects both in the North and the South keeping her occupied, the actress has been living out of suitcases for the past few months. Her upcoming film Tezz has added that extra zing to her life right now. Things aren’t too bad, coming to think of it.
How did the transition to South cinema happen?
Besides Hindi films I have always dabbled with films in other languages. I have done three Bengali films, three Telugu and a Malayalam film. Tamil cinema is something I did for my parents. And people appreciated me in them. Things changed after I had a couple of hits (Vaaranam Aayiram was a blockbuster). Now I live a double life and it’s crazy. I have a completely different life down South and a different one in Mumbai.
Did you migrate because you were not getting enough work in Mumbai?
No, filmmakers from the South came to me. I am a laidback person. It’s a ruthless business here and I applaud heroines who have the guts for cut-throat competition.
How different is it being a star in Mumbai and one in the South?
Hindi films gave me everything. It gave me the ‘Sexy Sam’ tag. After Race, it gave me the image of a bimbette. No matter how many films I do in the South, I’ll always be known as a Hindi film star. That will never change.
You were once linked up with NTR Junior (now married to Lakshmi Pranathi)…
I did two films with him (Narasimhudu and Ashok) and we made a great pair on screen. So rumours started flying and got out of hand.
SameeraReddy
What’s your take on item numbers, something even top stars are doing?
Earlier doing shows and appearances were looked down upon but after Shah Rukh Khan began attending shaadis and performing at them, it’s the ‘in’ thing. The same goes for item numbers. Earlier the ‘item girl’ tag evoked frowns but now you have Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra dancing to item numbers. Truly, item numbers are becoming bigger than the films. I did one for Priyadarshan's Aakrosh. This year I’ve been offered many, I’m just looking for the right one. Item songs are hot and if done the right way, why not?
Onscreen kissing?
I’m not okay with a kissing scene. Strangely, when audiences see it in a Hollywood film they don’t seem to mind it. But the same audience is uncomfortable watching it in a Hindi film. I remember my kissing scene in Musafir (2004) created such a stir. The raunchy scenes were talked about more than the film. That’s sad. Even if it’s a gimmick, I don’t want to have anything to do with it.
Are you single right now?
Yes.
For how long have you been single?
I did date someone in the middle but that did not work out. It also had a lot to do with the fact that I am never in Mumbai.
Reportedly, you were dating a Greek tycoon's son who had several businesses one of them being a shipping company.
My brother-in-law (Ariel Mionis) has always tried to set me up. A friend of his, who’s super cute, was interested in me. I did date him but it isn't easy when the person lives abroad. Besides, I’m patriotic about Indian boys. I definitely want an Indian guy. For a while I thought if my sister (Meghna Reddy, VJ-model) has married a Greek, what’s wrong if I looked in that direction too? After all he was a wonderful guy. It was all hush hush as he is a big name in Greece. If the Greek press had got wind of it, it would have become a big deal. He was like royalty.
Any plans to settle down soon?
Not yet. I’m not looking at it right now. It will happen when it has to happen. I am envious of Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. I want to be in a relationship like theirs. They are so good together. I love the fact that she works hard, does a great job and has this amazing guy to support her. That’s what all actresses want.
