From Maduve to Samsara

It was passion and determination to become an actress that led this pretty lass from Shivamogga to eventually make it into the magical world of television. Apoorva Gowda, who is known as Samikshaa on TV, rose to fame with her first venture Meenakshi Maduve, and she now shines as the ultra modern girl in a bold new avatar for Subbalakhsmi Samsara directed Swapna Krishna.

Samikshaa talks about her passion that has now become a full-time profession, and her dreams to achieve big on the silverscreen in the future.

“I was always passionate about doing something different in life. Born and brought up in Shivamogga, I did not have much exposure. But, I would always stand out – irrespective of what I did since school days and this continued even in college. From participating in every competition relating to art and dance, I just lacked confidence to face the camera. That was when I decided to take it to the next level. I was still pursuing my graduation when I started auditioning for various TV programmes and soaps,” says Samikshaa.

Her sole purpose was to overcome the fear of facing a camera. “I was pursuing B.Com in Shivamogga, and I would attend every audition, travelling to Bengaluru on weekends. Since I had no formal training or experience in acting, I ran from pillar to post for eight months before my talent was recognised by the makers of Meenakshi Maduve,” Samikshaa says, adding that her character was a typical village girl, the complete opposite of what she is.

In fact, Samikshaa got her second break after signing Meenakshi Maduve wherein she essayed the lead. “I was fortunate to get Subbalakhsmi Samsara just a few days before my first serial, and though the project took off, it was delayed. In Subbalakshmi Samsara, I play an independent and bold girl who is in love with a married man. Though she does not want to trouble anyone, she wants to excel and have all the luxuries in life. She is least bothered with what society thinks,” Samikshaa shares.

Before the small screen, she worked as a model and continues to pursue other interests.“My parents were a little concerned about my career choice. My family is settled in Shivamogga, and they wanted me to continue studies but I was so determined to become an actor. I managed to convince them, eventually. I changed my name from Apoorva Gowda to Samikshaa due to numerology. Though, I did not believe in it, I did it for my parents,” she smiles.

With no acting experience, the actress says that it was Preetham Shetty, the director of her first serial, and later Swapna Krishna and the entire cast and crew who helped her hone her talent. “I was not sure of Subbalakshmi Samsara after I heard about the role. I was scared that the audience would judge me on the basis of the role I was playing. But, I took it up as a challenge — an experimental one. Gladly, I managed to pull it off.” Before signing off, Samikshaa says that her favourite pastime is to swim and dance.