Shanvi Srivastava is the most desirable woman of 2019

The votes are in and you have chosen the Bangalore Times Most Desirable Women for 2019, from a select bunch of achievers, all under the age of 40. This time around, Shanvi Srivastava wowed audiences and beats everyone to the top. The Mumbai-based actress, who now talks Kannada like a Kannadathi, says that she considers the Kannada film industry a home away from home. Here are excerpts from a chat...

Bangalore Times Most Desirable Woman — what does the title mean to you?
It feels great, very flattering, too. I wonder what makes me desirable. Is it the fact that I’ve been open about my life and myself on social media for people to know me inside out to vote for me? If that’s the reason, I am delighted.

You’ve embraced the Kannada film industry and the language itself. Does it give you an edge to claim this title?
I do not know if it has, but I’d love it if my efforts have contributed towards this. I love making people happy, which was the reason why I chose to learn the language and be a part of the culture. If that has made them happy and vote for me, I’m more than happy.
What would you say is most desirable about you?
If I were to look at desirability, the topmost factor would be being myself everywhere and anywhere, without pretensions. The second factor, the earnestness in the work, matters to me. Personally, I look up to Alia Bhatt as a desirable role model, because she is the same everywhere and her hard work and sincerity shows it. So, I’d consider these factors as my desirable traits too.
Who do you find desirable among men?
I like the way Ayushmann Khurrana and Vicky Kaushal have turned out. They come across as real both on screen and in real life. They also go and try to realise their full potential through their varied roles, which is very attractive to me.

Last year, you took risks with your roles in Geetha and

Avane Srimannarayana

, both of which were not typically ‘heroine’ roles. What made you opt for them?
Now, I’m exploring the actor side of me. Earlier, I was this little girl who entered showbiz and was smitten by the glam world. Now, I have decided to explore the actor in me. I’m not a trained actor, nor have I done theatre. It took me some time to sink my teeth in. I want to go beyond being just the glamour quotient and do roles that allow me to explore a different side of me.

Why is the Bangalore Times Most Desirable Women still single?
Who said I’m single... (laughs) or who said I’m committed either. Let’s keep that mysterious.