Exclusive! Samyukta Hornad: My next Kannada film will be like a relaunch; it’s my best to date

Samyukta Hornad is having a rather busy start to 2023. The actress has already had the release of the second season of her Telugu web series Jhansi, followed by her first big-ticket commercial film outing, Kranti. Up next, she’s got Hondisi Bareyiri coming out in early February and then immediately after, Love Birds. While these are all films that she did either pre-pandemic or shortly thereafter, the year’s also begun with more exciting work, which, she is immensely excited about, but has been sworn to secrecy by the team.

We caught up with the actress for a quick tete-a-tete about working on Kranti, which is her first with Challenging Star Darshan, among others. Here are excerpts from the conversation.

How’s the new year been treating you?

In 30 days, I think I have five releases, two of which are out already – Jhansi and Kranti. Hondisi Bareyiri comes out on February 10, then a week later is Love Birds. The first look of my character, a lawyer, who is friends with the lead couple, Darling Krishna and Milana Nagaraj, was revealed recently. There’s also a political drama called Bayaluseeme, which should be out shortly after. Then, I think in March, there is a sci-film I did, called Mandala, in which I play a cop. Some of these films are, of course, from before the pandemic and releasing only now. But what’s also exciting is that I have been shooting for an interesting project since the end of December, so, it’s been a great end to 2022 and beginning to 2023. I have always wanted to be working like this and I think it has happened, finally.

Which is this film that has you so excited?

Well, you will know soon. I have been forbidden from revealing anything just yet. But for me, it’s been the best journey that I have had since I began my film career a decade ago. This is a film that really made me feel that I do not know anything about movie making, my craft. It literally feels like I am starting from scratch. I think I have done about 23 odd films and this one will be my best to date. It’s a relaunch of sorts.

Kranti is your first commercial film?

When I was offered Kranti, I was a tad surprised, because I had never done anything like it. I was not even looking for films in that space. My idea in life is to win as many hearts as possible and a commercial film like Kranti does that. The kind of love I have received from Darshan sir’s fans has been phenomenal. In the film, I play one of Darshan’s buddies from his alma mater, the centenary of which he attends after years away from the country. The film, of course is about the tussle between government schools and private institutions and I think one of the reasons that I got the role is because I have adopted a couple of schools and work with underprivileged kids.

The best bit about working on the film was being with the likes of Darshan sir, Rachita Ram, Girijamma (Girija Lokesh), Giri Shivanna, among others. It wasn’t the strictest of sets and we had a lot of fun making Kranti.

What else is happening?

The Telugu web series space has been really good for me. Jhansi Season 2 has just come out and the team is already talking about starting the next. I also have another season of Gods of Dharmapuri, which I had done a long while ago. Everything that I have picked in the Telugu OTT space, has given me very different roles. For instance, in Locked, I played a thief who is stuck in a house, where I shared screen space with Satyadev. I am really surprising and amusing myself with the kind of work I am doing in Telugu.