She believes she can fly, swim & act!

She is a water baby, through and through. And has been for over a decade! A national swimming champion with scores of medals to her name, she is a pretty known face across India thanks to the many commercials she has done. Actress Milana Nagaraj who started her acting career with great style in Nam Duniya Nam Style and then rose to fame after she was cast opposite Challenging Star Darshan in Brindavana, is onto new pastures. After a couple of films in Kannada, she has also acted in a Malayalam movie and recently signed two Tamil movies. A multi-faceted talent who has an engineering degree, she has also signed a Kannada movie that marks the directorial debut of actor Madarangi Krishna. In an exclusive interview with Bengaluru Chronicle, the actress speaks about her versatile career and her passion for acting, be it movies or the commercials.

“After my debut movie in Malayalam with Avarude Raavukal, I was busy completing my Kannada movie Fly, which is an adventurous venture directed by Bharath G. The movie is ready for release. In between, I have been busy doing commercials, and this is when Madarangi Krishna approached me for an interesting role. I needed to look different for it, as I will be seen in a new avatar with short hair, and a new fashion sense. It is always the uniqueness in a role that excites me. I am choosy when it comes to films,” says Milana Nagaraj.

The national level swimming champion was an active sports person until her 12th, and then she studied engineering in computer science. Unlike many, it was not modelling which led her to movies but the opposite.

“I started off with movies and then, modelling and commercials happened. Many have this wrong notion that movies automatically generate opportunities in the world of advertisements. It is as vast as the film industry, and may be even bigger. Just being a known face doesn’t guarantee work. Even in the ad industry, there are a whole lot of technicians involved who work day in and day out. A model gets work only after passing through a critical look test, and other criteria,” she adds.

An adventure buff, she loves to juggle various forms of entertaining. She signed two Tamil films recently, and her debut Tamil movie is being directed by PV Prasad, a well-known film maker in Kollywood. In another Tamil venture, she will be seen kicking some baddies at a Karate championship.

“I am yet to start my second Tamil venture where I essay the role of a girl who is well-versed in  martial arts. I will have to take up some lessons in the days to come to do the role. My routine exercises, gymming and swimming keep me fit, and that is why I am able to pull it off,” Milana wraps up.