This 'next-door girl' like face looks very familiar isn't it? Remember the lead role being played in the serial 'Vaidehi' on the Udaya T.V.? We all admire her and she inspires many of us with her powerful roles on screen. This is Suman Nagarkar, the television 'glamour girl'.

Suman began her career as an artiste in a play on Bangalore Doordarshan eight years ago. She soon bagged good roles and movies with ace directors. 'Beladingala Baale', 'Nishkarsha', 'Nammora Mandara Hoove', 'Hoomale', 'Kalyana Mantapa' are a few of her good movies. At present, Suman is really enjoying the attention she is getting on the small screen with varied roles she plays on many different channels.

Our team spoke to this shy and unassuming actress on her present ventures and future plans. To our pleasant surprise, we found that her reserved exterior has a bubbly girl inside:

On her latest project on TV and films " At present, one of my serials called 'Vaidehi' is being telecast on the Udaya channel, where I am playing the lead role of a village girl who is very fond of dancing and wants to pursue a career in that, but her parents want to get her married. It is about how she achieves her goal of becoming a dancer later. 'Suptha Manasina Saptha Swaragalu', 'Suprabhata' and 'Swarnarekhe' are the other serials coming soon. I also have two more serials on the anvil on Eenadu TV called 'Ankura' and 'Belli Tere' which are both very different roles. In 'Ankura', I play the role of a rebellious doctor and 'Belli Tere' is a serial about the film industry."

On her entry into the tinsel world " It all happened by chance (laughs)! It has been eight years since I have been in films and the small screen. It all started off from the TV. I have always been very choosy about my roles and have done all the good films with the best directors till date. I like my profession a lot."

Which medium of the two is more powerful and why? "Of late, it is the TV which is more powerful than films. This is because one has a varied choice of channels. One can watch one's choice of programmes in the convenience of one's own home."

About her role in 'Beladingale Baale', where she keeps her face covered throughout the entire movie… " Yes, it has been one of my most memorable movies. It was a very different kind of subject and it was the beginning of my career. I had thought that people would not recognize me but, to my surprise, many people appreciated and recognized me in that film. It was a very challenging role for me. Even today, people talk about the film and my role in 'Beladingala Baale'."

About her work satisfaction… " I am not satisfied yet, though my role in 'Hoomale' was satisfying to some extent. I have done 14 film all together but, you know, an artist is never satisfied."

About the project she has been working on " GV Iyyer's 'Sri Krishna Leele', which is being made in 4 languages. In Kannada and Hindi it is being made as a movie, whereas in Malayalam and Tamil, it is being made into a serial. The project has begun, but due to the Dr Rajkumar's kidnap episode, the shootings have been held up."

The roles she has been waiting to play till date " I have been waiting to play the roles of a blind girl and that of a police inspector. To act like a blind person is definitely very difficult and challenging too. The role of a police inspector would be a very authoritative one. I love to watch movies of Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil, but never try to copy them."

Suman Nagarkar is one of those sweet, not-too-bothered sorts, and very homely too. This rather laid back actress takes life as it comes and has no plans of getting married at present. Looks like her career is her first love right now. We wish her all the best!

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