In the film industry, she might be labeled a ‘nepo kid,’ but Avantika Sundar is determined not to let that hold her back from her acting debut. The daughter of famous film personalities, actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar and director-actor Sundar C, she is focused on making her mark in tinsel town and will be appearing on screen shortly. “My parents haven’t imposed any restrictions on my film career; they’ve only encouraged me to pursue what feels right and is best for me,” Avantika shared in an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times.

Avantika discusses the support from her parents

Khushbu Sundar and Sundar C have made a significant mark in the Tamil film industry, both enjoying thriving careers in cinema. Avantika reflects on whether she ever felt her parents should be the ones to kickstart her career, given that they run a production house. “Honestly, I never thought my parents should launch me. I didn’t want that for myself, but I’d be lying if I said I’d just sit back and wait for someone to notice me or that I could do it all alone. I recognize that my parents give me an advantage in this industry. I can at least ask my mom to help me connect with people in the business,” shares Khushbu's eldest daughter. She quickly adds, “My parents didn’t offer to launch me either. They believe I should carve my own path, and I genuinely want to succeed on my own. However, I do need assistance in networking, and it wouldn’t be fair to claim I did it all by myself—none of this would be possible without their support.”

Avantika discussing the challenge of being at a height disadvantage

Avantika, who studied acting in London, is open to performing in any Indian language and believes that the quality of the script is the only thing that matters. However, she admits that her height of 5’11” was a concern for her. “I took a long time to make my acting debut because of my height. I was very aware of being tall and didn’t fit the typical image of what an actress should look like. As a teenager, I felt awkward, was a bit overweight, and wore glasses. I would watch all these stunning actresses on screen and think I wouldn’t measure up. But the pandemic shifted my mindset. After an injury, I had time to reflect, which gave me a new outlook. I decided to focus on becoming the best version of myself and chase my dreams,” Avantika shares with a smile.

Unlike many newcomers, she hasn’t imposed any limits on the types of roles she’ll take on. When asked if she has specific roles in mind, especially with the rise of OTT platforms in India, Avantika grins and says, “Honestly, I want to do it all! I know it sounds selfish, but I don’t want to box myself into any specific roles. That can be risky because as an actor, you might get too comfortable in one area. I’m eager to explore anything and everything, as long as it resonates with me.”

Based on suggestions from parents

How ready was she to tackle the film industry here, which operates so differently from the West? “My parents did mention that there would be a lot of attention on me because of their status, and I totally get that. I’m ready for it. The main reason I enrolled in drama school was to prepare myself for that kind of scrutiny. I also wanted to overcome my introverted and shy nature since I used to feel really self-conscious; just the thought of someone snapping a photo of me would freak me out. Drama school really pushes you to deal with these issues while perfecting your skills. Being involved both in front of and behind the camera during my training taught me that everyone on set plays a crucial role,” Avantika shares.

When your parents are as accomplished as hers in the film industry, the pressure to succeed can be overwhelming for someone making their debut. “I do think about that sometimes. But I can’t guarantee that I’ll achieve the same level of success or surpass them. I can only hope and give it my all, and fingers crossed, I make it. I won’t lie; the fear of failure is real. But I’ve been fortunate to grow up with friends and family who remind me that as long as I’ve put in my best effort, that’s what truly matters. I believe how the audience sees you is crucial. If they like you, it opens doors for more opportunities and success. Nowadays, audiences are very discerning and vocal about their views, and I respect that. So yes, the thought of failing scares me, but I have an incredible support system behind me.”

As she wraps up, Avantika Sundar demonstrates her maturity when she states, “The film industry is incredibly unpredictable, and that goes for everyone, including actors. You can be on top one day and then not the next, or you might start off as a complete unknown. Personally, I want to act for as long as possible and give it my all every single time.”

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