Glam model-actress Samvedna Suwalka prefers movie-TV acting over medical career

Chaitanya Padukone

In Hindi cinema, one comes across several instances of eminent actors, directors,singers etc. who are professionally qualified in ‘some other’ faculty like engineering or medical sciences. But they daringly deviated into the (showbiz) profession which they are passionate about. Like actor-turned-acclaimed director Shekhar Kapur who otherwise is a qualified Chartered Accountant. Or versatile star-actor Vicky Kaushal who previously pursued an engineering degree from the Institute of Technology.

Possibly, there are at least 14 qualified doctors (medical) who ‘diagnosed’ their ‘junoon’ for facing the camera and limelight and opted for a daring diversion. They preferred being seen-on-screen in cinema ‘theatres’ instead of frequenting operation ‘theatres’. One such latest case of a qualified (MBBS) doctor-turned-formally-trained actress-model to waltz into the hall of filmy fame, is the winsome, talented, photogenic Samvedna Suwalka . She recalls, “ Right from childhood I was into learning classical dance and much later I knew my passion was only for the ‘performing arts’. But since my dad is a psychiatrist, it was just expected of me to study medicine.

Honestly, I think, I didn’t have the clarity and conviction at the age of 17 to follow my heart. So I completed my MBBS and eventually became a doctor. Even while I was doing my medical internship, I would be actively doing theatre-plays during my free-time. Once I completed my medical degree, I decided to take a leap-of- faith. Not being from a filmy family, I joined Subhash Ghai’s Whistling Woods Institute (WWI) to hone my acting skills and imbibe the craft of film-making,” smiles the style-savvy, slim Suwalka, who also informs that she has “acted in over 50 short films and some 40 ad-film commercials including a hair-oil one, with co-star Amitabh Bachchan. ”

Although she speaks excellent Hindi being essentially a North Indian, Samvedna, (born and brought up in Jamnagar), is equally fluent in Gujarati and has acted in popular Gujarati movies as well . The hit-list includes ‘Natsamrat’ where she played Dipika ( Sita maiyya ) Chikhlia’s daughter and the runaway hit comedy ‘Bey Yaar’. On being quizzed about why she was not venturing into Hindi flicks she reacts “ In my first Hindi movie ‘Bull Bulbul Bandook’ which had an ensemble cast, I played a cameo of Jackie Shroff’s daughter who gets killed by a mafia-don played by Kay Kay Menon. Since then I have acted in independent Hindi films like Union Leader, Rebellious Flower, etc.

I have also acted in a slick Hindi short film ‘The Perfect Murder’ and in a lead role in this popular Star Bharat TV show‘Meri Gudiya’ which now is off-air. There is this upcoming movie called ‘Batliwala & Sons’ and yet another untitled film where am playing a ‘cricket-coach’ mentoring young female cricketers. . There is a film I will now be co- producing with director Rishav Agrawal, called ‘Silly’ which deals with ‘heart-break’, with me playing the lead, “ reveals articulate , exuberant yet glam Samvedna, (Sam), who has used the lockdown stay-at-home situation, to acquire both cooking and baking skills. Shooting-from-home for topical themes-rocking rap-song videos has added zing to Sam’s chilled-out life. Quite often, kitty-partying at home with her cute little kitten also gives her a high ! Aww for her pet miaoww !.