Shraddha Das on Bollywood vs South Film Industry
Shraddha Das on Bollywood vs South Film Industry
Actor Shraddha Das has carved a niche for herself across multiple film industries, balancing powerful performances in both Bollywood and South Indian cinema. In a recent interview, the actress got candid about her artistic journey, her latest OTT project, and the striking differences she has observed between the two film worlds.
Choosing Roles That Challenge Her
For Shraddha, the deciding factor in taking up a role has always been depth and complexity. “A layered character excites me,” she shared, emphasizing that her choices are guided by substance rather than screen time. Speaking about her latest OTT series, she revealed that the filmmaker and story drew her in immediately.
“The first reason I said yes was the director — I’ve admired his work for years. The script was powerful, my role had a complete emotional arc, and getting the chance to perform alongside Konkona Sen Sharma made it impossible to refuse.”
Shraddha Das on Bollywood vs South Film Industry
Substance Over Screen Time
Having steadily built her career without any industry backing, Shraddha believes in earning her place through talent and perseverance.
“I’ve done this without a godfather or film background. I started with smaller parts in different languages and gradually grew from there. Today, playing key roles in OTT shows feels like a hard-earned reward,” she said, adding that she’s proud of her self-made journey.
From Aspiring Singer to Screen Star
Interestingly, acting wasn’t Shraddha’s first dream.
“I actually wanted to be a singer and was working on a music album when someone saw my picture and offered me an acting role. That project didn’t materialize, but I later trained under NSD artists and auditioned relentlessly — almost 500 times,” she recalled.
Her perseverance paid off when her Hindi debut Lahore released, followed by a string of successful regional films. “My Telugu movie with Gopichand changed everything. It made me recognizable overnight. Since then, I’ve always had work — whether in Hindi or regional cinema,” she said. – Shraddha Das on Bollywood vs South Film Industry
On Southern Audiences and Their Unconditional Love
Shraddha expressed deep admiration for the warmth she receives from southern fans.
“In the South, audiences love you irrespective of how big or small your role is. That affection is genuine and unconditional,”* she said fondly.
“In the South, Work Speaks Louder Than PR”
When asked about the key difference between Bollywood and South cinema, Shraddha highlighted the contrast in professional culture and publicity practices.
“The biggest difference is PR. In the South, there’s no concept of paid PR. Once you sign a film, people automatically know. I’ve signed movies over phone calls and started shooting within weeks. Everything moves faster, and your work speaks for itself,” she explained.
Shraddha Das on Bollywood vs South Film Industry
In contrast, she noted, Bollywood relies heavily on visibility and image-building.
“The Hindi film industry moves at a slower pace. You need to stay visible through events, interviews, and PR. But what I love about the South is that the audience remembers you — even if you’ve done just one or two films. Their loyalty is unmatched,” she added.
On Changing Audience Awareness
Shraddha also touched upon how audience engagement has evolved with social media.
“People have always been sensitive, but now they have platforms to express themselves. Earlier, only a few critics reviewed films; today, everyone has a voice. The awareness isn’t new — the visibility is,” she observed.
With her grounded perspective, relentless dedication, and cross-industry success, Shraddha Das continues to build an inspiring career — proving that genuine talent and hard work always outshine noise and PR.
Shraddha Das on Bollywood vs South Film Industry
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