Ulka Gupta talks about her journey into showbiz, her Tollywood debut and life in school after being an actress.

How and when did acting bug bite you?

It actually came from my dad (Gagan Gupta), who is a renowned actor in Hindi TV serials and TV films. I used to accompany my dad to the sets since I was 5, so I'm used to all the filmi stuff and I wanted to be an actor since then. My dad used to teach me acting and I was trained at home itself and that's how I learn the art of acting. He always used to encourage and asked me to go to auditions but never recommended me to anyone. I was selected to a TV serial at the age of five, and was groomed as a child artiste, and that's how my journey started. But my biggest break came at 12, when I did the serial Jhansi Ki Rani, and since then I haven't looked back.

How did you get this project?

Having played a powerful Jhansi Ki Rani, director Gunasekhar sir offered me the role of young Rudhramadevi and that's how I got into Tollywood, although I did not know much about it. I came to know that the makers of Andhra Pori are on the lookout for the female lead. Since the lead actress looks should be like a typical Andhra girl, initially, I was a bit sceptical to give a try but later, they believed and convinced me to play an authentic Telugu girl. I gave my best for the role and the whole team supported me a lot.

You learnt Sanskrit for Hindi serial. Did you learn Telugu for this film?

I always have the passion to learn new languages – I know Nepali, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Gujrati, Marathi, and can speak around ten languages including Japanese. Now I`m trying to pick up Telugu and it`s a bit easy for me to pick up Telugu because I know Sanskrit, which I learnt for serial Jhansi Ki Rani. So for Andhra Pori, my character happens to be a well educated girl coming from a traditional family. So the diction has to be precise and I got that right because I understood the meanings of the dialogues and then mouthed them.

Was there any pressure on you after being an actress?

Obviously I`m nervous! Can you imagine a 17 yr old playing the lead actress in a film? I`ve seen the likes of Tamannaah and Ileana starting their career at a very early age, but playing this kind of role is perfect for me and I left no stone unturned to justify my character.

You learnt horse riding for Hindi serial; likewise, did you learn any art for this film?

I`m very hyperactive but for this film I learnt how be in control. We had a workshop for around 9 days and it helped me how to speak and improve my personality. I learnt Telugu not just for the role but personally as well.

Did you ever regret for missing your school and college life?

I`m a person who always carries my stuff wherever I go. If I want to study I would so that on the sets and if I want to act while in school, I would still do that. And I make friends on the sets and chill out with them. So there`s no regret at all. I always knew that you want something you need to forgo something else. I perusing BMM (Bachelors in Mass Media) and I want to complete it.

Do you see any difference between movies and serials?

While working for serials, the audience get to see you in households but in films, you need to pay and watch the actors. The only difference I see is the daily connection. In serials, we utter the same dialogues everyday but in films, we can`t give the same expression always.

Have you been to Hyderabad before?

I`ve been to Hyderabad before when I came to shoot for Rudhramadevi. So it`s been almost two and half years I`ve been shuffling between Hyderabad and Mumbai. The city is beautiful and I like the weather.

When you go back to school or college, how do your friends react?

My friends see me differently! They say Arre...she`s an actress...she`s a celebrity... should we talk to her or not` and some people treat me like I`m for another planet. But I feel like saying please talk to me...I`m normal, and bring them to reality.