Ever since her breakthrough in the 2018 film
Tagaru, Manvita Kamath has often been asked why she hasn’t appeared on screen as often as expected. Her answer has nothing to do with the lack of offers or ambition. It’s beyond it all. “I’ve gone through my own metamorphosis,” she says, describing the last few years as a period of learning, observation and redirection.



The actor admits she consciously stepped back to understand cinema beyond what unfolds on camera. “Earlier, I looked at films only from an actor’s perspective. Today, I look at everything — the producer who’s investing money, the sales team, pre-sales, distribution, marketing, branding, product placements and the strategies needed to sell a film. It has completely changed the way I think.” That shift in perspective, she adds, is now shaping her entry into the Telugu industry with a featurette starring Srikanth Sathi, who is also backing Rashmika Mandanna ’s Mysaa.




‘Women need to be equally celebrated as men’



“My journey has also made me confront the realities women face in the industry. I may not have been very active despite a huge hit like
Tagaru because many things were going on in the background. It’s not easy to be a heroine. There are so many factors at play. When you sign contracts, consent at every stage matters. Sometimes opportunities don’t align with where you are in life,” Manvita says.



The actor also feels conversations around female stars need to evolve. “We celebrate male stardom so naturally. Women have incredibly loyal fan bases and lasting legacies, too. But you hardly see their birthdays celebrated with the same enthusiasm as that of heroes. Somewhere, a patriarchal mindset still exists, and women need to be celebrated equally as men,” she adds.




‘Films are not just about a good story’



Making a film today is no longer just about telling a good story. “The formula has changed. Trends keep changing, audiences change, and marketing changes. Sometimes sensationalism becomes the talking point; a trailer leak or even bad reviews become part of the conversation. Every film needs a strong strategist as much as it needs a good director. This shift in perspective has made me more empathetic towards producers. People think making films is glamorous. It isn’t. Producers carry enormous pressure. There are follow-ups, market realities, and so many business decisions happening behind the scenes. I appreciate their courage much more today,” she says.




‘Marriage hasn’t slowed me down’



Deep down, Manvita’s dream is to be a filmmaker. “I had even moved to Mumbai for a while to pursue direction,” she says, adding, “It was during this phase that I met Ram Gopal Varma, who taught me a lot about cinema. Then I had to return to Bengaluru because my mother fell seriously ill. She had two last wishes: for me to complete my Master’s and for me to tie the knot.”



Balancing education and cinema wasn’t always easy. “My celebrity status didn’t get me any special treatment in college. There were days when I was made to stand outside the class if I was late. I managed to get a master’s degree in journalism, but my mother passed away before I tied the knot. Arun, my husband, and his family have been extremely supportive of my work. I’m now gearing up to direct and have a good producer backing me. I’m in search of a suitable cast. After years of introspection, I’m now entering a new creative phase. Today, I’m an actor and aspiring filmmaker who has become a more aware participant in the industry,” Manvita sums up.