Spirituality helped me cope with loss, says Avantika Shetty

The loss of loved ones saw the actress staying away from the cameraA day after Ugadi, actor Avantika Shetty shared a heartfelt note on social media, touching an emotional chord among her well-wishers. In addition to mentioning the two films that gave her recognition in the Kannada industry – Rangitaranga and Rajaratha – Avantika spoke of how she hasn’t done a film in five years owing to a “great personal loss” and would like to return to films and be back in action.
‘I saw death at really close quarters’
Commercials and voiceovers during college days saw Avantika gain headway into films.
“I was happy I could manage to convince my folks as I come from a conservative Bunt family. But after I debuted and even gained praise for my performance in Rangitaranga, followed by Rajaratha, nothing I liked came my way. In fact, I put up the note on the fifth anniversary of Rajaratha. And then I saw the death of a lot of close people in my family. The thing about death is you never really realise how much it can affect you. I just couldn’t come to grips with it. During this time, it was spirituality that helped me. If I’m here, able to finally have clarity, it’s entirely because of yoga and meditation. I’m also majorly into rescuing animals and it gives me a lot of peace,” Avantika tells us.
‘Overwhelmed by the response to my post’
Avantika says she’s touched by the response to her post. “Considering I’ve been away for so long, I’m happy they still support me. That note came from the heart. Personal losses are never easy to deal with and I’ve come out stronger. I’m now ready to face the camera and fully in the zone to take on work. For an actor, it’s essential to be there in mind, body and soul. Today in Mumbai, where I live, my friends in the Hindi industry say, “Weren’t you doing Kannada films?” And there is so much awe when they say that. To which I say, “And it took you all this long to realise it,” sums up Avantika.