EXCLUSIVE! Misha Narang Says Playing Sarla In Sarala Subbarao Was Challenging, Wants To Work With SS Rajamouli

Misha Narang interview: At Filmibeat, we love interacting with artists who are passionate about their craft. February was quite special for Misha Narang as her Kannada debut film hit the silver screens, earning positive reviews from the critics and the audience.

In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat Chief Copy Editor Abhishek Ranjit, Misha Narang got candid about her Kannada cinema debut with the romantic drama Sarala Subbarao. As the story is set in the 70s, she spoke about getting into the skin of the character. Interestingly, the tinsel town expressed her desire to wish with the Baahubali himself- S.S Rajamouli in a project.

Here are excerpts from the interview

1- I want to congratulate you on the success of Sarala Subbarao. The film is the perfect tribute to love and parenthood. How excited are you after the success of your Kannada project?

- Thank you so much for the wishes. I'm truly very excited and grateful for the response the film has received. What makes it even more special is that this was my first Kannada film, and many people told me they couldn't believe that. The audience has shown so much love for the character and my performance, which means a lot to me as an actor.
For me, the most rewarding part is hearing that the character stayed with people even after they walked out of the theatre. When a performance is remembered and felt by the audience, that's the biggest compliment. I'm just happy that I was able to do justice to the role and be part of a story that celebrates love and parenthood so beautifully.

So yes, I'm extremely happy and very thankful for all the love coming my way.

2- Sarala Subbarao makes you slip into their world even when you don't realise it. Set against the backdrop of the mid-60s and early 70s, the movie is not your run-of-the-mill project. How did you take up the challenge of playing such a nuanced character? What was your prep like?

- Since the film is set in the 1960s and 70s, I first had to understand the world of that time. I watched a few films and references from that era to get a sense of the lifestyle, body language, and emotional tone of the characters.

Sarala, as a character, is very innocent, and the way women expressed emotions back then is quite different from today. Initially, it was a bit challenging for me because I don't naturally behave like that. But during the shoot, I tried to stay in the mindset of the character even when the camera wasn't rolling. That really helped me get into her emotional world and portray the role more naturally.

3- From a young woman to an embracing motherhood, your character goes through a myriad of changes that have been beautifully depicted in the movie. Nobody can say that it was your debut in Kannada cinema. How did you manage to nail those beautiful transitions?

- Thank you so much. I am glad that it came across like that. As an actor, it is these compliments and acknowledgements that we always strive for. I think a big part of it comes from the years I've spent working on my craft. Even when I'm not actively shooting, I'm always observing people around me. I notice how a college student behaves, how a young mother reacts, or how someone at a different stage of life expresses emotions. As an actor, you never know what character you might play next, so observing real life helps a lot.

For this film, that habit of observation really helped me portray Sarala's journey from a young woman to a mother. At the same time, my director was very clear about the emotional graph he wanted for the character. Combining his guidance with my own understanding of people and emotions helped me bring those transitions to life on screen.

4- What was your biggest takeaway as an artist from the movie?

- My biggest takeaway from playing Sarala was learning how beautifully simple life can be. She is very innocent, sincere, and fearless. She doesn't overthink things, she just lives fully in the moment and spreads love to the people around her.

What I found most special about her is that her happiness comes from very pure emotions, loving her family, being loved by them, and embracing life as it comes. As an artist, portraying that kind of simplicity and emotional honesty was a really meaningful experience for me.

5- When did the acting bug bite you? Did you always aspire to be an artist? What kind of roles do you look forward to working in?

- Acting was always somewhere within me. As a child, I used to enact scenes from movies, and my brother and I would perform for our family during Sunday gatherings. At the same time, I was very focused on academics. I completed my master's and was even about to enrol for a PhD because most people around me expected me to pursue a career in research.

But at that point, I felt a strong pull towards acting. I realised life is short and I should at least try what I truly wanted to do. I started giving auditions, and when my very first audition went well, it gave me the confidence to pursue acting seriously.

Going forward, I would love to play strong and meaningful characters, roles that carry depth and convey a message. It could be a powerful queen, a determined cop, or even a strong woman who seems like the girl next door but has the ability to inspire others. Those are the kinds of characters that excite me as an actor.

6- Please tell us about your upcoming projects. We have heard you're in talks for a couple of exciting films.

- There are a few things that I am in talks for a few really exciting projects, fingers crossed. Once everything is official, and I leave it to the production houses to make the announcement, I'll be happy to share the details post that for sure. Right now, I'm in discussions for about five films, and choosing the right script and the right team is very important to me at this stage. The love and appreciation I've received for Sarala Subbarao has been overwhelming, and I truly feel it has opened new doors for me.

I'm looking forward to what's next, and as soon as things are finalized and announced by the production, I'll definitely reveal the projects.

7- Who is your dream collaboration when it comes to filmmaking?

- My dream collaboration would definitely be with S. S. Rajamouli, sir. The vision he brings to his films and the way he breathes life into every character is truly inspiring. It gives me goosebumps and motivates me as an actor to always be prepared for any role. Working with such a legendary director would truly be a dream come true for me.