Nandita Swetha is now the talk of the town. Touted to be a major strength of the big hit 'Ekkadiki Pothavu Chinnavada', the talented actress in this exclusive interview talks about her long wait, what she looks for in a role, what transpired at home when she wanted to become an actress and more.

Keeping aside the encomiums you have been getting post-release, did the unit members sense that you would make it big while the film was being made?

While shooting me, the direction department's members would tell me that I would be deemed the film's hero. Antha build-up chesaru. It's only now that I understand what they meant. I am overwhelmed by the response. I am receiving a rousing welcome in Tollywood. The other day Allu Arjun garu called me up to congratulate me. I was speechless and just told him I was looking forward to work with him in future.

In Kollywood, you have done quite a lot of performance-oriented roles, including a school girl's role. You must have got so many offers before 'EPC' happened. Is that correct?

The kind of roles I have done in Tamil are not cute and bubbly sort of roles. That's why Vi Anand felt that I would be apt for Amala's character. I don't repeat the same role. In that way, I have won. This is what I was expecting while I waited for years before I debuted in Tollywood. Had I not waited for a distinct role, I might have come and gone by now.

The film tells the message that it's character, not beauty, that matters for love. As a woman, what is your definition of love?

I am too young to talk about it. The message that the film gives is so deep that you have to talk whole day about it. It's because of the emotional content that people are not seeing Amala as a ghost.

As you are a beauty, many guys must have proposed to you. What do you think most of them saw in you - beauty or character?

(Laughs). You are calling me beautiful in front of my mother. I don't know what the guys see in me. You have to ask them. I can only blush. But I think more than me, they love my on-screen characters.

When you wanted to become an actress, your parents objected to it. You went on a hunger strike for a week. What are they saying now?

How could I have been hungry for a week? (Smiles). When they said 'Not now', I was upset. I got fever and was not eating well. And they got convinced. I am thankful that they understood my feelings. Rest is history.

Why did you become a model after making a debut?

Can you believe that? Will anyone become a model after becoming an actress? I took a break and since I didn't want to do only studies, I wanted to do experimenting. I did some commercials, pageants, won crowns during 2008-2014. That helped me a lot in my body language, building up my confidence, etc. That's a part of my career. I was into theatre as well.

Has waiting for the right character in Telugu got any downside?

I lost time, but what I have gained is something bigger. Of course, I still have many years. My choices, I hope, will earn me more respect, more fame, and probably, more money also. (Smiles).

What do you mean when you say you will do glamorous roles only when it's within a family entertainer framework?

My audience are family audiences. In Tamil, they come to watch my movie expecting to see my performance. I am conscious of that. Seeing my face, they say I am homely type. If the director has the confidence that I can pull off a glam role, I am ready for it. But my character should be important for the story. I am an artiste; it's not that I always have to be deglam.

In Tamil, you have done movies with the likes of Pa. Ranjith, Selvaraghavan, Radhamohan and Durai Senthilkumar. Did you not want to wait for an offer from a Trivikram before debuting in Telugu? Did you miss out on exciting offers because of your reluctance to do glamorous roles?

I might have missed big salaries. (Smiles). I don't consider factors like new or star directors, etc. My importance has to be there in the movie, even if it's a short role. That is what matters to me. And I am any other celeb. If I get to work with the likes of Trivikram sir, I will of course be very glad. I want to work with the likes of Pawan Kalyan sir, Mahesh Babu sir, etc. I am confident that I can pull it off.