‘I can’t be Amrita Rao’

Not many are aware that B-town girl Amrita Rao has a sister.
Or the fact that she���ll shortly be debuting in a Kannada film. Preetika Rao, the younger sibling of Amrita, will soon be starring opposite Aditya in Rakthaksha. A model, Preetika���s done numerous commercials and is a qualified journalist. ���I was happy modelling and writing my columns, so becoming an actress was never a priority,��� she says.But monotony set in after a while. ���And coincidentally, an aunt who���s also a family friend of Aditya, called up to ask if I���d be interested in doing a film,��� says Preetika.
It took her aunt a while to convince her, and Preetika subsequently signed Rakthaksha.
But as Amrita���s sister, she must���ve received offers from Bollywood and the southern industry. ���Doing Bollywood films is a big career move today. They aren���t just limited to Indian audiences, but also cater to an international market. So, you���ve got to be very sure about yourself before entering this industry,��� explains Preetika. Which is why she wants to test her acting capabilities before taking the plunge. ���And the southern industry is the best training ground. I can test my skills in a medium that���s not very large, but is equally popular. I will know where I stand once I do films over here,��� she observes. But Preetika promptly adds that she isn���t undermining the importance of southern films. ���Many south Indians, including Deepika Padukone and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, started off their careers in the south,��� says the Mangalorean girl.
But most heroines who���ve debuted in the south have treated our films as stepping stones into Bollywood. ���But that won���t be the scene with me. If I get good opportunities in the south, I���ll probably stick around,��� she says, adding, ���I���d love to play girl-next-door roles because that���s who I really am.���
So, is she aiming at becoming another Amrita Rao? ���Amrita is one of the best actresses in the country today. She���s such a versatile actress ��� be it in Vivaah, Main Hoon Na or Welcome to Sajjanpur. Even if people wanted me to fill in for her, I wouldn���t be able to. She���s naturally talented and I have to try a little harder!��� she laughs. Preetika already has a substantial fan base, thanks to Amrita. ���All her fans are now looking forward to my debut and have even started an online community in my name. All this even before I���ve debuted ��� it���s overwhelming,��� she says.
Meanwhile, Preetika���s also looking forward to her trip to namma Bengaluru. ���I have my grandparents, cousins and lots of relatives here. I���ve been coming here since I was in the fourth grade and I���d love going to Cubbon Park! If I were to trade Mumbai for another city, it���d definitely be Bangalore,��� concludes Preetika.
MADHU DAITHOTA