Being an actor is no mean feat, especially when you decide to brave the odds of the glamour world all by yourself. In PeepingMoon's latest series, titled Stars Unplugged, popular actors and actresses will talk about their experiences of making it big, gaining popularity with their body of work and the challenges they faced on their way to success.

The third episode of Stars Unplugged features Avika Gor, who started working at a young age and successfully made it to South films with her talent and determination to give her best possible performance in every role offered to her. In the exclusive chat, the 24-year-old starlet spoke about choosing acting over choreography, making a transition from TV to South films, auditioning for roles in Bollywood and how her transformation helped her career-wise.

Excerpts from the interview:

When did the acting bug bite you?

That was way too early; maybe I was just six or seven. I always wanted to get into the industry but as a choreographer. When somebody noticed me dancing, that person approached my parents and spoke to them about my career in acting. They gave their consent and were open to offers. Since I don't come from a filmi family, my parents didn't expect anything to come my way. But, when I went for auditions, my parents supported me throughout. The struggle, like visiting production houses, showing portfolios etc, was done by them as I was way too young. At that age, dressing up and acting in front of the mirror was just a hobby for me.  

Since you started working at a young age, did it benefit you career-wise?

It definitely did. Now, when directors approach me, even the first time ones, they are confident that I'll add value and expertise to that role. The experience counts. At the age of 24, I have almost 15 years of experience in acting. 

Did you lose out on any project because of your age?

Not at all. In fact, I am getting roles that are age-appropriate. I was 12-13 when I did Sasural Simar Ka and played the role of an 18 years old girl. In the film I am working in currently, I play a 20 years old girl when in reality I am 24.  It is an actor’s job to make it look convincing and I did that. It is weird but that is how an actor’s life is.   

You went from doing Hindi language TV shows to signing South films. Was it easy for you to get your first film, Uyyala Jampala? 

It was easy for me because I was approached with a lot of scripts. Out of them, I chose Uyyala Jampala for my debut. The film was backed by Nagarjuna and it was a big deal to get launched by him. It was as big as Salman Khan launching new talents in Bollywood. For me, it has always been about choosing roles and not struggling to get them.

Is it true that TV actors don’t get preference in films?

For me, things worked differently. People wanted to work with me. Thanks to my age, people see me as someone who wants to explore different things. 

You worked in Hindi films as a child artist. Did you try auditioning for lead roles as an adult?

Yes, I did. There were many scripts offered to me, but none of them worked. That’s why I haven’t done Hindi projects for now. But, wait for a week, we have an announcement coming up.

Did you ever face criticism for those extra kilos on social media?

Not really. People never spoke about me in a negative way. Even when I was overweight, according to me I was, people told me that they like my chubby look and the way I encourage body positivity. I always got a positive response from the audience. The best thing was people started connecting with me at a young age. They have seen me grow up. When they see the entire journey, there is less trolling. Even when people told me to lose weight and spend more time working out, none of that was found in my comments section. They, very positively, told me on personal chats on Instagram. 

What do you have to say about people encouraging body positivity?

There can be a huge debate on body positivity. There are so many people who say it is okay to be the way you are but not many encourage you to try to change yourself for good. I believe if I wouldn't have lost all those extra kilos, I would have been unhappy. I wasn’t comfortable in my own skin. It wasn’t easy for me. I took a lot of time to lose the extra kilos and become a fitter version of myself. It makes me happy now and I feel if you give in your best, you can achieve your goals. There are many misconceptions about body positivity. If you understand it, you’ll see it in a different light. 

Did your transformation help you get roles you were looking forward to? 

Not only the roles I was looking forward to, but also those I never imagined myself in. After the transformation, I was approached for action films, glamourous roles and characters I never thought I could pull off. It was amazing to see that kind of response. I believe the vibe you exude is what people receive. Earlier, I was perceived as a girl-next-door and people assumed I am fit only for simple roles. Once they saw my confidence after feeling comfortable in my own skin, posting glamourous pictures on social media etc, they realised that I can pull off any role.    

What’s your take on the pay disparity faced by female actresses?

We have so many examples where women are paid more than their male counterparts. In Gehraiyaan, Deepika Padukone must be the highest-paid. Once you make your mark, I don’t think the problem would sustain.  

You are currently in a relationship. Did Milind Chandwani’s entry into your life change you as a person? 

Milind Chandwani has brought in a lot of love and it isn't just love for him but love for myself, my family and for my work too. There was a lot of positive energy that entered my life with him. Everybody needs a little push to achieve their goals. He did push me a lot for my transformation. There were days I would hate him for not letting me eat junk and for making me work out but he kept going saying, "You'll thank me later." That kind of support is needed in life as it helps you grow. 

Did reports of your relationship with Manish Raisinghan bother you? 

No, not at all. We still laugh about it. He is a very very good friend of mine and will remain close to me forever. He has literally seen me grow up. We keep talking to each other every 2-3 days. Even if he says that he wants to adopt me, my parents would agree immediately. Your best friend got married on your birthday, what's more special than that?