It’s good for audiences to see an independent, strong leading lady: Shruti Goradia

Working in the F&B sector, Shruti Goradia didn’t imagine that she would act in films. Freelancing as an emcee and anchor, she did want to act, but in TV. Through her work, she met Faizan Khan, producer of Sankashta Kara Ganapathi (SKG), and one text message sent by her friend to Faizan changed the course of Shruti’s life. “Faizan had messaged me asking if I knew anyone who would want to audition for the female lead of SKG.I was busy when he had sent me the text, so my friend, who assumed that I was close with Faizan (they were just acquaintances then) replied saying, ‘Yes, me’. I freaked out and gave my friend a piece of my mind,” she says.
Shruti adds, “It was embarrassing to tell Faizan that I was kidding, so I just let it be. My friend told me that there was no harm in sending my pictures, which I did.” But after being called for the auditions, Shruti was quite puzzled. “They were smiling after I auditioned, so I was wondering whether I looked funny or didn’t do well. Which is why I was shocked when Faizan told me that I had got the role. I took some time to accept the offer, because I did want to act, but never thought it would be in films; I had always pictured myself doing TV,” she says, adding that knowing the team well was the clincher. “I was also blown away by the story. Here, the hero’s (Likith Shetty) own left hand is the villain.”
Shruti plays Shruti in the film, a sales executive who is very headstrong and knows what she wants. “She is very modern, knows how to get work done and is very spontaneous, which results in a series of events in the movie. She doesn’t get swayed by emotions and is a lot like today’s working woman — independent and a go-getter,” says Shruti, for who essaying the role was relatively easy, since it is an extension of who she is. “I am glad that I didn’t have to act coy. In the film, I’m not a typical shy heroine who runs behind the hero, or gets troubled by villains. It’s good for audiences to see a woman like that in movies,” says the Bengalurean of Gujarati descent, who has dubbed for her role.