Kaantha actor Bhagyashri Borse: Comparisons are bound to happen to newcomers, but you need to prove through actions | EXCLUSIVE
Kaantha actor Bhagyashri Borse opens up about her first acting role in Tamil, playing her closest to life role, and her Tamil fluency
Last Updated: 09.39 AM, Nov 20, 2025
It was a revelation for many who watched Kaantha, the recently released Tamil period drama, that beyond the likes of Dulquer Salmaan and Samuthirakani who are known for their captivating performances, there was a debutant who held the screens tight. It was Bhagyashri Borse, a debutant, who played a role that was closest to her reality. It was Bhagyashri being at the right time and right place for in Kaantha, her debut Tamil film, she played doe-eyed Kumari, a debutant actress, who is torn between the ego clash between a superstar actor and the director who introduced them.
Bhagyashri Borse interview for Kaantha:
It was not all easy for Bhagyashri, who was not thought beyond her good looks, and compared some leading female stars in terms of physical features. But Bhagyashri did not mind the comparisons, which could have become causes of concern for many. Instead, she says, to OTTplay, “There will always be comparisons. Anytime a newcomer is introduced, comparisons are ought to take place. I think the more films I do, the more acting you will see, you will know who is Bhagyashri Borse.” It was this that kept Bhagyashri going, who did not complain about being likened to other actors in terms of looks, and keeps it simple by saying, “You need to prove yourself actions.”
With Kaantha, Bhagyashri has become a confident artiste, and by that she means, “Right now, you can ask me anything about the character Kumari, which might not be in the film, I can answer very well. At one point, everyone said I did put a lot of efforts into it. But for me, it is that one platform to prove myself and a blessing. So, I think, after the love I am receiving post the film’s release, it only keeps me going. I think I am on the right path, and that hard work will take you to right places.”
“I think it was the preparation that helped us a lot”
In a unique sense, Kaantha was a meta narrative for Bhagyashri, who played a debutant actor Kumari. To take a notch higher, it was Bhagyashri as Kumari as Shaantha as Kaantha in the screenplay which adopts a film within film narrative. “Yes, it was a little meta that way. Understanding Kumari was easy, and here, she is a debutant actress. Somewhere, I am also a debutant, and that feeling had helped me to empathise with her.” Bhagyashri credits her preparation time before going on floors that helped her crack Kumari. “I think it was the preparation that helped us a lot. I came off to Chennai for about six months, and kept practising my dialogues. I had rented a house, kept learning and performing Kumari repeatedly.”
Much like how Kumari calls her director ‘ayya’ in the film, Bhagyashri also refers to Kaantha director Selvamani Selvaraj the same. She talks about a particular close up, possession scene from the film, which tapped into Bhagyashri’s performative side. “That scene was not there in the script initially and we added it later. Selva ayya and I discussed and included. We needed that one scene in which Kumari truly gets the spotlight on her. She needs to prove herself and that she is born to be an actor, as Kumari. Honestly, I got the dialogues for that scene only in the morning and I was very scared. But I just flowed with it.”
“Having no technique is my technique”
Probing Bhagyashri a little more on what was the technique that made her flow along with it, the actor gets candid and admits, “Each actor has a new technique, and for me, I think the only technique is not to have one. I want to keep it very simple. I want to know the character deep enough and that is all about it. Once action is called, I want to slip into whatever it is, and what happens is to follow.”
With her first language not being Tamil, the Maharashtra native says that she has begun watching more south films now. “I think south is in focus right now. I think we are doing a fabulous job. I am learning Tamil and it is my first year working here. Even as I have a basic understanding of what others are trying to say, I believe in speaking from heart. That being said, I am learning the language and did have a tutor to get the diction right.”
“I am huge admirer of Madhubala”
For Kaantha, Bhagyashri was given the entire script and understandably, as minor changes took place on the floor, the actor says that her language courses came in handy. “I need to study, and know Kumari in and out, and that was probably the only thing I had to do for Kaantha.” Drawing inspiration from veteran stars like Savithri and Sridevi, Bhagyashri also confesses to being a huge admirer of Madhubala. “I think she is so beautiful and someone who lived by her heart. So, that kind of it inspired Kumari as well.”
Next up, after playing an actress, Bhagyashri’s next film will tap into the other side of the film industry, the fan culture. With Andhra King Taluka set to hit theatres on November 28, she says, “It is not similar, to Kaantha at all, and every different story. While Kaantha is about actors in films acting, Andhra King Taluka is a biopic of a fan, and looking up to a superstar.”
Coming from a non-filmy background, Bhagyashri is still working on the switch to see a film as an actor and audience. “As an audience, you just see with heart. But now, when I am watching films, I am observing the performances and how they would have cracked it. I think I am learning much more now, but I am losing out on the audience’s perspective. I need to put effort into it to watch a film just as an audience,” she concludes.
FAQs
Q. What is the new movie of Dulquer Rana?
A. Kaantha is the new movie starring Dulquer Salmaan and Rana Daggubati.
Q. Is Kaantha a biopic?
A. Kaantha is not a biopic but a fictional film loosely based on incidents from the 1950s Tamil cinema.
Q. Where can I watch the Kaantha movie?
A. Kaantha released in theatres on November 14 and is currentlty running.
Q. Is Bhagyashri Borse Maharashtrian?
A. Yes, Bhagyashri Borse is from Maharashtra.
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