Quotes from Shamna Kasim

Your performance should be acclaimed. If awards come, I am happy.

I am playing a brave girl in Thagararu.' I was told by the director that Madurai girls are naturally brave and during my shoots in the city, I realized that this is true about the girls from Madurai.

Be it a cameo, a character role or a lead role, I am happy that people are finally recognising my acting calibre and are casting me in their films.

I used to do semi-classical dance as a child; I did not have a choreographer, but my mother gave me a cassette to learn from.

When I was asked to play the lead character Mohini in Avunu' I asked Ravi Babu why he chose me. He said he wanted someone who can act well. I felt nice.

I'm blessed to have a supportive family and friends, who keep pushing me to never give up dancing whatever happens.

I am glad that I had to work my way up and was not handed anything on a platter.

The choreography in films is completely different. I find it easier when I am asked to dance to classical music, but it's a different ball game altogether.

If I am part of a movie, the character I handle should make sense to me at first and should also be convincing to the audiences, in terms of casting.

After donning an item number in Rajadhi Raja,' I got a string of offers to perform similar characters. But I consciously rejected all those offers as I don't want to be tagged as an item girl.

In Sarvamangalam,' I am fond of flowers and I want to own a nursery. My character talks only to flowers. If she is sad she will go and talk to flowers. It is not a comedy film, it is a nice subject.

In our religion, there are people who might be conservative about practicing dance after marriage, but I don't want anything or anyone to come between me and my dance.

I always give preference to the script and when it's good, I am game for anything.

I am a dancer first. That is why I don't accept all roles that come my way.

In fact, I became popular in Kerala after I took part in a reality dance show and despite making my foray into films as an actress I make it a point to take part in stage shows whenever I find time.

As an actor, it doesn't matter to me if I play the role of a mother, with or without make-up and so on. I focus only on getting the expressions and acting right.

In fact, dance is an extension of who I am.

I made my debut in 2004 as a fresh faced teenager in a small role in director Kamal's Manjupoloru Penkutty.'

In Tamil and Telugu films, I am not called for stylish roles and often play rustic or unglamorous roles in them.

Avunu's stellar run at the BO and the positive response from the audience was such that most scripts coming my way from Telugu have been from the horror genre!

A lot of substantial roles are coming my way from Tamil and Telugu, and I am happy with the way my career is progressing.

Dance gives me a lot of confidence and helps me overcome all my insecurities in personal and professional life.

Ravi Babu's films are known to have its heroines playing prominent roles. Further, all the heroines he has cast in his films are well-established, known faces. I consider myself lucky to have been considered by him to play Mohini.

Unless I am convinced that it is a strong, prominent role with ample scope to perform, I don't accept it. I want the audience to recognize me for my acting talent.