Martin actress Anveshi Jain: I know I have to be sexy to drive my audience, but that’s not all that I am

Actress and social media influencer Anveshi Jain is counting down to her Kannada film debut, Martin, which will be in theatres on October 11. “Working on Martin took a while and when we started out, I did not know much about the Kannada film industry. But as I spent time with the entire team, I realized the magnitude of the project, not only in terms of the scale it was being made, but also the star power on board. I got to witness the extent of Dhruva Sarja’s fame in Karnataka and how crazy a fan following he has. So, I feel quite privileged and lucky to be a part of Martin,” says Anveshi, talking to OTTplay.

Anveshi’s role in Martin

The whole premise of Martin revolves around the identity of the character – ‘Who is Martin?’ I am Martin’s girlfriend in the movie – we are the Bonnie and Clyde of Martin. I am the bad girl of a bad boy and a lot of action and violence revolves around the two of us. My character is quite ruthless.

Anveshi Jain: When I did Martin, I had no idea I was a part of such a big film 

Prior to the shoot, I had to get trained in cinematic stunts. While my fitness regimen includes boxing, stunt action is a different ballgame. Some of my scenes in the film are quite difficult and I needed training to get it right, like, for example, getting the body language right for a leap from the ground on to a truck, while supported with harnesses.

The action bit is actually the most exciting thing I have ever shot. Not only did I explore a side that I never thought I would, but you also realize the effort that goes into these sequences and your respect for heroes, who do far more challenging action pieces, grows multi-fold.

Anveshi on getting into the skin of a gangster moll

I was approached for the role in Martin based on a few posts on my social media feed, which convinced the team that I was best suited for the character. I think the character is an extension of my personality, where I come across as a confident woman. While I also thought that pulling of a gangster look convincingly would need a certain physique and body language, I later realized it was more about how I carry myself. This character has a certain swag, which is what appealed to me. Once I was onboard, I surrendered to the director’s vision, because I was told the film would be similar to Billa (2007).

I discussed this with Vishnuvardhan, the director of Billa, and I thought that if this is a role that is similar to Nayanthara’s in Billa, then I am okay. That was always in my bucket-list to do a character like that. Once I signed up for the film, I began preparing for the role so that I could bring a depth to the character. Based on the character sketch, I wrote an entire back story, including her early days, the environment she grew up in, etc.

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I also took reference from Money Heist’s Tokyo; I wanted the character to have that kind of attitude towards of people, life, and way of thinking. I picked some of those traits and matched it up with how I am as a person – I chose all the common ground for the character.

Anveshi’s styling in Martin

I had to do a lot of costume trials because of the body type that I have. I have to be extremely careful with what I wear and how. The filmmaker may have a vision, but you may not know how it practically fits in. A lot of outfits had to be redesigned and I sent them references for the same.

I have a proper curvaceous figure and that posed difficulty. See, I work out a lot, but there’s also genetics at play, which is why I am top-heavy. I didn’t see it coming that I would have this kind of a physique, but then I am comfortable and proud of the way I look.

Handling the ugly side of social media

Every other comment on my social media handle is inappropriate. It’s a situation that pretty much every actress endures; not only me. And in my case, it is irrespective of what the content I post on social media is. It has very less to do with my work, and more to do with my physical appearance. Either I accept and thrive in it or fight it and become the girl-next-door. I am not cut out to be the girl-next-door.

Now, I know how to drive my audience and for this, I have to look sexy, which I don’t want to refrain from. I can look sexy and be singing a song wearing a sari, because that’s what sells. But not everything has to be about selling. I want to do good roles, so if you want me to play mother to a 50-year-old man, I am okay. I am a theatre artiste and see it as an opportunity to use my training. But that side of me no one sees because people only look at me as this glam chick. There’s more to me than just that. I will not be just another sexy girl who came and went; I will try and forge my own path.