Actor Medha Shankr is celebrating her 27th birthday today, and this year is particularly special for her. The success of her role in the film 12th Fail has made her birthday even more memorable. Shankr is marking the occasion with a trip to Alibaug with her close friends and family. “It’s a big birthday for me,” she says. “We’ve rented a villa where we’ll have fun playing table tennis and badminton and enjoying some great food. It’s going to be a three-day getaway close to Mumbai, so we can bring along our dog, Laila.”
Reflecting on her role in 12th Fail, Shankr expresses her gratitude for the positive reception. “The film was a huge hit, and people really connected with my character, Shraddha Joshi,” she shares. However, Medha Shankr is cautious about being pigeonholed into one type of role. She admits that it took time to step away from Shraddha and establish her own identity. “I noticed that on social media, some fans only wanted to see me as Shraddha Joshi. I had to gradually transition to showing more of who I really am, so I wouldn’t surprise or disappoint my audience. I’m determined not to be typecast.”
When asked if she’s taking a break from acting, Shankr explains that she is being selective with her projects. “I’m receiving scripts and offers, but I want to choose roles that challenge me and break away from my previous image. My goal is to find roles that are different from what I’ve done before. Working with a variety of actors and directors is also important to me,” she says. “I want my filmography to include a mix of different types of films. I’m drawn to strong, performance-oriented roles where the female character has a significant voice. There are also some directors I’d love to collaborate with. If the chance to work with them comes up, the script is secondary to me.”
Despite her selective approach, Shankr isn’t worried about fading from public view. “What matters to me is putting out great work, not just staying in the spotlight,” she explains.
Medha Shankr is also thrilled about the buzz surrounding 12th Fail and its potential for National Awards. “It’s exciting to see so many people supporting the film. Winning would be incredible, but the love and appreciation we’ve received mean everything to me,” she says. She reminisces about a moment during filming when she felt the film had a special quality. “I remember telling Vikrant during his performance, ‘I’m manifesting a national award for you.’ Even then, I sensed something magical about the film. There are many other outstanding contenders, so I’m eager to see the outcome,” Shankr concludes.
