After mesmerising viewers with goddess roles in serials like Shivleelalu and Santoshi Matha, Usha is now back to social dramas with a vengeance. "I don’t regret missing some negative characters," claims the popular actress who thumbed down some offers as she was reluctant to mar her image in mythologicals. In recent times, if it was glam doll Ramya Krishna in films, it was Usha who took the mantle of playing goddess with consummate ease on the small screen. "I still love to do them," reveals popular actress who has done more than 70 serials in just five years. She is regaining her foothold in socials with serials like Aathmiyulu on DD and the much-awaited magnum opus Chadarangam on ETV. Except for Cine Masala, she has kept away from anchoring and she is still rejecting offers. A tete-a-tete with the actress who is doing her maiden negative role in Chadarangam. Excerpts:

How did you feel when the mantle of playing a goddess fell on you?
I was more than happy playing goddess Kanyakumari, Parvathi, Laxmi and Santoshi Maa and I felt like it was a god-given gift to me. Though I have done many roles in the past, Sivaleelalu fetched me enormous appreciation and kept me in the limelight until it was off the air. Similarly, Santoshi Maa gave me intense satisfaction and I am eagerly looking forward to Sri Ganesh to begin. What I like most about these serials are the costumes and literary Telugu. I am still craving to do few more roles.

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Do you regret not doing other roles?
I did rejected some characters with negative shades since it could go against the soft image of the goddess, but frankly I don’t regret the decision. Even TV producers stopped approaching me for other roles with a notion that I may not take them. All through that phase I was in a trance enjoying every moment without thinking about my career moves. With just Santoshi Maa on air I have started doing all kinds of roles insisting on some novelty. After seeing me in socials, mythological makers think twice before approaching me, but I assure them I would never reject a goddess role for anything in this world.

Is your character in Aathmeeyulu in any way similar to the arrogant girl of Kasturi?
Not really. In Athmiyulu I play the daughter of a business tycoon and I don’t believe the police who suspect a mystery behind by father’s death and even disclose that my life is under threat. While in Kasturi, I fall in love with my hero, but when he shows interest in another girl I help them to get together. I was sad when Kasturi wound up. Athmiyulu has crossed 100 episodes with solid ratings and it is going to remain popular for its twists and turns.

It is learnt that you have been roped in for ETV’s mega-serial Chandarangam?
That’s right. It’s a very interesting role and even the serial is shaping up into a big one. I play a money-minded widow who is hell-bent on usurping the wealth of her brother with the help of her sister-in-law. I was reluctant to brand my role in Kasturi as negative role since I was just arrogant, but I must admit this role is my first negative role. After doing more than 70 serials in five years I have become very selective.

You have stuck to your decision to keep off from anchoring after Cinemasala. What happened to your film career?
Since I am not comfortable anchoring I have stayed away from it after Cinemasala. Neither did I receive lucrative offers nor am I going to wait for them. I was disappointed when Narayanmurthy’s film failed to give me a break and I would wait for an exclusive lead role instead of doing sister and character roles.

— BVS Prakash