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"How I prefer to look is completely my choice. Any problems?" The outburst borders on arrogance, but look into her green hued eyes and it reflects the image of the present day youth - confident, talented and resilient. The husky voice that crooned Shakalaka Baby bowled cine - goers with her cute looks and springy performance in Hey Ram and won rave reviews for her portrayal of the Indian bride in The Monsoon Wedding. 
Vasundhara Das, the bubbly Bangalore girl, is going places with her band Arya and her acting spree. An ambassador for Tourism in Karnataka, Vasundhara maintains the same spring in her steps, unmindful of the criticisms that came her way for not 'maintaining' her figure! Vasundhara spoke to our correspondent at The Roost Hotel. After your bang start, suddenly your fans feel you are lying very low. Are you taking a break?
I've just done what my heart told me to do! I have started a recording studio in Bangalore. I'm with the World Music Band, touring England and America extensively. I'm shooting films of my choice and am very busy with playback singing. Most of my songs have been chartbusters. And that's doing a lot, not lying low! If what I do doesn't make news, it doesn't mean I'm doing nothing! Your hands are indeed full! Many singers are trying their luck at acting. You feel singers with a good face become good actors?
I can only speak for myself. I never ever wanted to act. My world was only music. Acting was just a sheer coincidence, a good experiment. Are you Happy with the result?
Pleasantly surprised and very happy with the outcome. It has thrown open a new world where I see myself doing quite well! Working with Kamal Hasan has been one of the greatest things! 
In Hey Ram and Monsoon Wedding, your roles were very spicy and glam.
Come on! I don't really understand why people say they were glam wham roles! One was a period film! Both of them were very good roles and the films required some scenes, which blended well with the story line and it wasn't meant to be hot! Do you believe in the ideas of Indian hypocrisy projected in the Monsoon Wedding?
I do believe in what was shot. The problem in Indian films is we don't have the courage to talk about issues that exist, we tend to shy away. That's the reality, so why sugar coat it? Say it the way it is meant to be said. From the Shakalaka Baby days, how have you seen yourself grow?
For me it has been a phenomenal growth. Whether it has been recorded in public or not, it has been a very personal experience. For a girl who wanted to be a pop singer, to have entered into the foray of acting, co-composing an album, forming a band etc., have been milestones. So you are confident about your acting skills?
I have rediscovered myself with my acting. Every time I don a new role, I have to act and to act I have to be. To be, I have to know and that is where I start rediscovering a new me. So… You have been doing a spate of Hindi films?
There are three of them on the floor. I am doing 'Film Star', which is about the relationship between an actress and a convict. I play the convict who is accused of having murdered her husband. Pathar Ke Zubaan recounts the Mathura rape case, where the rich people and the Police and a woman SI stand rape a quarry worker up for her. Looks like you are very choosy about roles?
The time I spend away from my singing is very precious to me. I have to make good use of it. In fact I am doing a film called Kudiyon Ke Zamana, which is about 4 rich women (Rekha, Mahima Choudary, Kim and me) who don't know what to do with the time on their hands! The roles I do should convince me that I am spending my time usefully! How come you didn't venture into Kannada films before Lankesh Patrike happened?
The funniest part is I have lived all my life in Bangalore and can speak very good Kannada. But seeing my face many people feel I can't speak Kannada well and that was one reason no one approached me! After I sang a couple of songs for the movie Neela, people were convinced that I know the language well. Anyway, if I think the role is good, I will do any film. Language is no barrier at all and my band Arya plays music in all languages. So much was said about all those extra kilos you put on, against the usual hourglass figure that actresses are supposed to maintain.
That was a purely personal decision! I felt like eating well and I did it. After some time I felt I want to stop stuffing myself and I did just that! I live for myself and if people felt I didn't suit the role of an actress, well I have never pointed a gun at anybody and asked them to see my films! But you look very slim and beautiful now!
Thanks! That was again my conscious decision! There is so much said about the casting couch, especially with so many new kids on the block?
Well. May be that depends on you. If you keep your head on your shoulders and nowhere to draw the line, then you have no chance of complaining. But if you are willing to go that extra bit, whom are you blaming? Yours is a husky voice and you have the glamorous look too. Why haven't you done any item numbers?
Whether I will accept an offer to do it depends on my frame of mind! You have become a youth icon. What do you have to say to hundreds of talented youth out there who are struggling to make it?
You have to stand out on your own. Seriously, the entertainment industry is a reality check. No one comes out searching for you. It's a cutthroat competition and you have to go out and prove yourself. Remember you are always alone! How has life been after you have become the tourism ambassador of Karnataka?
Lots of fun! I had been visiting the length and breadth of Karnataka since I was a child, but now I am doing it with a different perspective. There is so much of tourism potential, but unfortunately, there is dearth of funds unlike in Kerala, which has carved a niche for itself in the tourism world. Having achieved so much, do you plan to settle down?
Marriage? Not on the cards right now! I am having too much fun and would like to continue it for sometime. No, I have no set ideas about the man in my life. May be the one trait I'll look for is a firm mind! If you weren't singing what would you be doing?
Hitch - hiking or back - packing! Nandini Srinivasan
Courtesy: Star of MysoreClick here if you would like to Contribute or send a feedback.
Click here to go the main page of Star of Mysore.
Click here to go to the main page of Kannada Lyrics.
Click here to go to the main page of Kannada Movie Reviews (Kannada).
Click here to go to the main page of Kannada Movie Reviews (English).
Click here to read more interviews.
Click here to read more Cine News from Mr.Vijayasarathy (Chitraloka).
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