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Actress Sharmiela Mandre , who has begun shooting Dad with superstar Shivarajkumar , opens up to Bangalore Times about her first day on set, the need for stronger women’s stories in Kannada cinema , and her vision as both actor and producer.:
‘DAD IS NOT THE TYPICAL MASS ENTERTAINER’
With Shivarajkumar, Dad is on a bigger scale, but it’s not one of those larger-than-life commercial films, explains Sharmiela. “Being a thriller, the approach is different — the content is strong, and that’s what drives it. It excites me not just as an actor but also as a viewer,” she says.
‘STRONG SCRIPT CONNECTS WITH THE AUDIENCE’
Sharmiela admits that female-centric stories are still rare in Kannada cinema. “I’ve come across women-led scripts, but many didn’t excite me. I want to be part of more female-driven films. The script is everything. If the writing is strong, people will connect—whether it’s led by a man or a woman
‘ IMPACTFUL ROLES ALWAYS STAND OUT’
On striking a balance between mass and meaningful cinema, Sharmiela explains, “For an actor, the choice is often a small solo film where nothing stands out, or a big-budget project with an impactful role. For me, if the role adds weight to a larger film, I’d love to do it. With the pan-India culture, people remember strong roles, no matter the screen time.”

‘GOOD WRITING IS WHAT STAYS’
As a producer, Sharmiela is equally invested in content. “I don’t want to make the usual big-scale commercial films. I’d like to start with something grounded — maybe a family drama or a fresh subject with newcomers. Today’s audience wants to be engaged from the start. Good writing is what stays, and that’s what I’m chasing — both on screen and behind it,” she says.

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