Born in Trivandrum, she has been living in namma Bengaluru most of her life. Besides graduating in law, she has also been practising Bharatanatyam from the age of six. While Surabhi Santhosh aspires to become a criminal lawyer in the future, the multi-talented actress has also acted in a couple of Kannada films, a Tamil film, and a Malayalam one which is set to release in the coming months. After making her acting debut with Kannada film Dushta directed by S Narayan, and Jataayu with Raj Soorya, she returns to Sandalwood with 2nd Half directed by debutant Yogi Devaganga. She is acting opposite Real Star Upendra’s nephew Niranjan, who makes his debut in this film. The beautiful Priyanka Upendra will be seen as a lady constable in this movie. Surabhi talks about her ‘second half’ journey back into Kannada films, and more.
“I never planned to become an actress, as it just happened to me. As a bharatanatyam dancer. I have performed at various shows and during one such performance, the wife of a Malayalam film producer spotted me and was very impressed with my skills. Later, I signed a film which unfortunately failed to take off. That is when I got introduced to director S Narayan sir who later launched in his film Dushta. Despite acting in films since then, I have also been performing dance at various stages whenever time permits me, such ‘Rajyotsava’ events and other programmes,” says Surabhi Santhosh.
After acting in Kannada films, Surabhi did a Tamil film titled Aayarthil Iruvar, and a project being made in Malayalam, which is scheduled to release in January. A Malayali, Surabhi was born in Trivandrum but has a close connection with Bengaluru. She shares, “As my father was serving in the Indian Army, we kept moving from one place to another. But when he finally decided to opt for voluntary retirement, we moved to Bengaluru and have been living here for more than a decade now. I recently completed my graduation in law from CMR Law School. This was possible due to great support and assistance from the college, I was able to pursue my acting career, and to pursue legal education to fulfill my dream of becoming a criminal lawyer in the future.”
As far as her comeback Kannada venture 2nd Half, is concerned, the actress reveals that it was the script which impressed her along with the presence of Priyanka mam in the film. “Though it is Yogi sir’s debut film as a director, his plans and his execution as a filmmaker has been spot on. I was excited with the subject of the film, something which has been never told in Kannada. Further, when I was told that Priyanka Upendra madam is playing a vital role in it, I just had to say yes to 2nd Half. In a sense, it is my 2nd Half in Sandalwood too,” she smiles.
Surabhi further adds the despite having a crucial link to Priyanka’s onscreen character, she says she does not have a single scene in which both make an appearance. “That is actually the most interesting part of it,” Surabhi says. On acting alongside Real Star’s nephew, Surabhi feels that Niranjan (who has got experience in theatre) has worked really hard in the film. “His character is that of a rough and tough man but in reality, he is very humble and that is the sign of a good actor,” she says. Before signing off, the actress concludes by saying that her career is a combination of ‘uncertainty and surprises’, and hence she and her parents were very particular that she have a degree, to fall back upon.
“I never planned on becoming an actress, it just happened. I have always been a dancer, practising classical dance Bharatanatyam since I was six. I performed at various platforms, and during one such show, the wife of a Malayalam film producer spotted me, and was impressed with my skills. Later, I signed a film that unfortunately failed to take off. That was when I got introduced to director S Narayan Sir, who later launched me in his film Dushta. Despite acting in films since then, I have been dancing at various stages whenever time permits, be it government organised functions such Rajyotsava Day, etc,” says Surabhi Santhosh.
After acting in Kannada films, she did a Tamil film Aayarthil Iruvar, and she also has a project in Malayalam that is scheduled for release in January. A Malayali, Surabhi was born in Trivandrum, but has a close connection with Bengaluru. She shares, “As my father was in the Indian Army, we kept moving from place to place. When he finally decided to take voluntary retirement, we came to the city, and have been living in Bengaluru for more than a decade now. I completed my graduation in law from CMR Law School. Thanks to the great support and assistance from college, I was able to pursue my acting career as well as my legal education to fulfill my dream to become a criminal lawyer in the future.”
Her comeback Kannada venture 2nd Half, the actress reveals, impressed her thanks to its meaty script and the presence of Priyanka Maam as a part of the film. “Though it is Yogi Sir’s debut film as a director, his plans and his execution as a filmmaker has been spot on. I was also excited about the subject of the film, something that has never been tried in Kannada before. When I was told that Priyanka Upendra Madam is playing a vital role, I just had to say yes to 2nd Half. In a sense, it is my 2nd Half in Sandalwood too,” she smiles.
She further adds that despite having a crucial connect between her role and that of Priyanka’s, she does not have a single scene in which both make an appearance. “That is actually the most interesting part,” Surabhi adds. On acting alongside the Real Star’s nephew, Surabhi feels Niranjan who has enough experience in theatre, has worked really hard. “His character is rough and tough even though in reality, he is humble, which is the sign of a good actor,” she says. The actress says that acting as a career is a combination of ‘uncertainty and surprises’, and hence she and her parents were very particular about having a substantial degree, to fall back upon.
