Actor Shraddha Das recently reflected on her long journey in films, the kind of roles that inspire her, and the major differences she has experienced between Bollywood and the South Indian film industry.
Known for her work across multiple languages and streaming platforms, Shraddha said her choices are guided purely by the strength of the role.
“A layered character excites me,” she shared, explaining that the emotional depth and complexity of a role matter far more to her than anything else.
Why She Said Yes to Her Latest OTT Project
Talking about her latest OTT series, Shraddha revealed that the director and the story were the biggest reasons she came on board.
“The first reason was the filmmaker — someone whose work I’ve admired for years,” she said.
“The script had great depth, and my character had a complete arc. Plus, working with Konkona Sen Sharma, who leads the show, made it impossible to refuse.”
Shraddha said she always looks for substance over screen time.
“Series usually have multiple storylines, and being the lead in one of them was exciting. I started by doing small roles and built my career step by step. Now, playing meaningful parts in OTT projects feels truly rewarding,” she said.
A Self-Made Journey
Shraddha emphasized that her career has been completely self-made, with no family connections in the film industry.
“I don’t come from a film background. I’ve worked my way up through auditions and persistence, and I’m proud of that journey,” she said.
Interestingly, acting wasn’t her first dream.
“I actually wanted to be a singer,” Shraddha recalled.
“I was working on a music album when someone saw my picture and offered me a film. That project didn’t happen, but later I trained with NSD artists and gave around 500 auditions before things began to work out.”
Her first Hindi film was Lahore, which took nearly four years to complete. During that period, she acted in 13 to 15 regional films, including a hit Telugu movie with Gopichand that made her instantly popular.
“Since then, I’ve never been out of work — whether it’s Hindi or regional cinema,” she said.
‘In the South, Work Speaks Louder Than PR’
Shraddha also discussed the clear difference between Bollywood and South Indian industries, especially when it comes to publicity and pace of work.
“The biggest difference is PR,” she said. “In the South, there’s no paid PR. Once you sign a film, everyone knows, and the process moves fast — from shooting to release. Sometimes, I’ve signed films just over phone calls.”
In contrast, she noted that Bollywood often relies on visibility and media appearances.
“Here, PR is part of the process. You need to be seen, stay relevant, and attend events,” she said.
Shraddha also highlighted how South audiences have a unique emotional bond with their stars.
“Even if you’ve done just one or two films, they’ll remember you. People travel miles to see your movies — that kind of loyalty is rare,” she added.
Changing Audience Awareness
Speaking about today’s audiences, Shraddha said people have always been sensitive and opinionated, but now they finally have platforms to express it.
“Earlier, only critics reviewed films. Now everyone can share their opinions online. The visibility has changed — not the sentiment,” she explained.
A Career Built on Passion and Persistence
From aspiring singer to self-made actor, Shraddha Das’s journey reflects hard work, resilience, and her focus on meaningful storytelling. With her growing presence on OTT platforms and continued success in regional films, Shraddha says she still chooses projects based on instinct.
“If the character has depth, I’m in. That’s what keeps me inspired,” she concluded.
