Little girl with big plans

At 17, Bengaluru-based Ria Nalavade, an emerging name in the modelling circuit, is set to play the heroine in a new film alongside H D Kumaraswamy’s son, Nikhil Kumar. Bengaluru Chronicle caught up with Ria for a candid chat about her debut.

Ria was in the newspapers for winning an all-India talent contest in March, just before the lead actress for the new film had been chosen. Kumar spotted her there, and though a few girls had already been shortlisted for the role, Ria was called in to audition last-minute. She explains, “I went through the whole audition process, and after a week, I found out I was selected. When they first told me, I thought it was a joke!”

“It falls in the genre of drama and romance. The story takes place against the backdrop of traditional Karnataka,” she reveals about the film, adding, “My character is modern in her approach, but desi at heart. She is a girl-next-door, but has a huge history behind her.”

Ria has had a great experience in the pre-production of the film so far. “The main lead, Nikhil, as well as the technical team have become like family now.”
Telling us about her beginnings, Ria shares, “I’ve always wanted to be a performer. Whether it was acting or dancing, being in front of the camera is something I’ve always been interested in.” An alumnus of Delhi Public School, Ria has always been an overachiever, an active member of the drama club and the student council back in school. She is also trained in bharatanatyam and western dance styles. She saw modelling as a path into the industry of film and media. After winning in the Bollywood category of a talent show last year, Prasad Bidapa took her under his guidance. “Modelling has helped me face the camera better,” says Ria, adding that her experience as a model gave her the confidence to venture into acting.

She plans to spend the next year beginning an undergraduate course in St. Stephens College, along with shooting for the film. Ria, a born performer, truly comes alive on stage. She sees the film as prepping her for the rest of her life, asserting, “I know my career is gonna be in front of the camera.” True to her motto – “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

—Anoushka Shyam