Changing my name was a blunder: Anchal

You might remember Anchal Singh as the girl who appeared in the Santhanam-starrer Dhilluku Dhuddu. But this pretty model-turned-actress debuted with the name Shanaya. And that led to a lot of confusion, says the actress. “It was my first film in Tamil and when the team suggested that I get a name change, I was OK with it. But post that I wasn’t getting the right kind of films, and when I was wondering why, I came to know that people got confused as they thought

Anchal

and Shanaya were two different actresses. I used to get calls asking whether I knew Shanaya as we looked similar,” she laughs, adding, “Changing my name was a blunder. But now, I hope the confusion is over. I’m absolutely looking forward to getting good opportunities in Tamil films. My heart lies here.”

Anchal began her career as a model before doing films. “Acting is not just my passion, it is something which is a part of my existence now. I know it sounds cliche, but I love films. I got my portfolio done when I was in college. Soon, I started getting offers for print modelling. My parents were sceptical as we don’t have a film background. But they knew of my love for cinema. I moved to Mumbai and started doing television commercials. I used to travel to the south, too, to do TVCs. It was then that my ad director suggested my name to Rambhala (director of Dhilluku Dhuddu). They did a look test and signed me for the film. It was a great experience working with the team,” she says. But Anchal says that she is not part of the sequel. “I am currently busy doing Punjabi films. I have also signed my next in Telugu, with a promising young team. I am looking forward to doing more films in the south,” she signs off.