After a resounding success in all the South Indian languages the amazing screen actress Ambika has stepped into the small screen with Kutumbam in a lead role as the eldest daughter and as a cop in Sundaravanam, both in Tamil. She also figures in a key role in Malayalam in Tharattu; and is now appearing in Banna and Preethigaagi mega television serials in Kannada.

The cakewalk that Ambika had on the big screen is continuing on TV too. Once a heartthrob of Kannada films, Ambika plays a mature role on the small screen. Still afresh in the memory of Kannadigas, Ambika played heroine opposite Dr. Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Ambarish and other leading stars. Excerpts from an encounter with Ambika:

How do you feel about your foray on Kannada TV?
I always had a good feeling in Kannada as an actress on the big screen, and the same feeling is continuing on the small screen. There is a wonderful set up with director H.P. Ravindra for Banna. I have accepted one more mega television serial Preethigaagi for Hamsalekha.

How are you choosing your roles?
The roles should be strong. It should have substance. The earlier roles what I have done in Malayalam and Tamil are wonderful ones. I expect the same in Kannada. As of now, every thing is going well. I play a woman in distress in Banna, this type of role I have not done in my career before. I am not bothered about positive or negative roles.

How do you adjust your dates?
I have to work for 15 to 20 days in a month with two mega serials in Kannada. I have also plans to settle down in Bangalore. I have not signed any television serials in other languages right now.

Are you available for films simultaneously?
Offers of good roles are not coming to me. There is no point in doing mother role’s. I did a heroine role for thespian late Sivaji Ganeshan when I was 19 years. I don’t want to clash my dates. The work I have accepted first always gets first preference. I have nearly 10 days free now let me wait and watch.

As a senior film actress what difference do you find between the big and small screen?
The work pattern is different. There is a repeat audience for your work in big screen. On the small screen the reach is tremendous. In the case of films we have to go to the theatre, but in case of the small screen, television comes to you. There is richness, glamour, sentiments, relationships, etc on the small screen.

When you work with youngsters in TV what is your assessment?
I find a lot of intelligent people in television. They are young and also very fast in thoughts. It is because life itself is very fast. They know pretty well what the audience wants.

You get your voice dubbed for Kannada?
It would be difficult for the audience to undrestand. I can speak Kannada, but the Malayali accent may be disturbing. Right now Shashikala dubs for me.

What about your family front?
I am living with my second husband Ravikanth. I divorced my first husband who is now staying in the United States of America. I have two boys from my first husband, who are living with my divorced husband. The current husband Ravikanth is a resident of Basavanagudi in Bangalore. He works with K. Balachanderji.

—KS Vasu