She began as an ‘atmosphere’ junior artiste in a few films and later hit the limelight with her debut in a lead role with adult content movie Iruttu Arayil Murattu Kutthu. She got flak for her bold skin show and coarse dialogues. But now, the 18-year-old Yashika Anand’s image has changed overnight to a more positive one thanks to the reality show Bigg Boss 2, where she was the one of the people’s favourite contestants.
Today Yash’s kitty is full with decent films. The young actress speaks to DC as to how she goes about choosing films, her action-filled role in the zomcom Zombie, her resolve not to accept item numbers, being active in the social media and how she wants to use it for women empowerment, and aspiring to enter politics.
“I am playing a medical student. It’s a serious role though the film is a comedy. All others including Yogi Babu have rocked in comedy. I have done several risky stunt sequences. Being a black belt in karate, I was able to pull off all the stunts without a body double. However, male actors had dupes (laughs).”
We ask whether she was a zombie in the movie. “I can’t reveal much. There are 200 girls who appear as zombies. It takes 3 hours to put makeup for each one of them. Sadly, you can’t see their beautiful faces on screen. Hats off to them for their hard work.” At the same time, she gives her bit of advice on this, saying, “Don't worry. Initially, I was also part of insignificant roles. One day, your talents will be noticed.”
On choosing Zombie, she says, “After Iruttu Arayil.. I was getting only similar glam offers. I am not meant only for that. I wanted to prove that I have other talents as well. And director Bhuvan Nallan came to with the Zombie script. He promised that he would project me differently and Zombie will break the stereotype.”
“There’s nothing wrong having a glamour tag, but after Bigg Boss, my image has changed. My fans on social media even call me ‘Iron Lady’. My forthcoming movies also project me differently. I have given lots of efforts for Zombie and I am looking forward a lot,” she says.
She did an item number in Kazhugu 2. “Yes, I did that for my friend Krishna. And it is a folk song. You can call it a special number. I don’t think, I will do a single dance in future. I don’t compete with anyone. I am a competitor to myself. I don't believe in number games. I want to break my own feat each day.”
When heroines turn down to act with Yogi Babu, how did you accept to be paired with Yogi Babu? “Yogi Babu sir is very talented person. It was not my choice. In fact, he wanted to act with me and I am happy about it.”
The actress aspires to get into politics one day. “I want to be the voice of many girls. In social media, I stand for girls who are bullied and degrading women. They feel depressed and I used to advice them to brush them aside and stand up. I get lot of positive feedback. And, if I am in a position of strength, I can reach out many. That's the reason I am keen to foray into politics.”
“I want to act with Vijay Devarakonda, Ajith sir and Suriya sir,” she says. On her future films she reveals, “I am doing a film with Mahat, Rajabheema with Aarav, web series 18 Plus, Sirutthai Siva with Thambi Ramaiah son Umapathy , which has lot of stunts without ropes and a tribal dance too. Many on the sets said that I am the younger version of ace Vijaya Shanthi.”
