Don't want to be stereotyped, says Swara Bhaskar

Actor Swara Bhaskar says doing unconventional roles is the best way to get out of being typecast as she doesn't want to "be stereotyped".

"I had always a fear of doing unusual roles that might affect my career. As I did in 'Raanjhaana', a role of a broken-hearted girl, in 'Tanu weds Manu', my role was of a friend, in 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' I have played Salman's sister which many actresses were reluctant to do. However, I do not want to be typecast. Now I have decided that the best way to avoid of being stereotyped is to take up those roles which are advised not to do," she said.

Swara said she was initially reluctant to play the role of mother of a teenage girl in "Nil Battey Sannata" as friends advised here as it was not a good idea to do this role.

"When the film was offered to me, I asked some of my friends... they said it would be a suicidal decision for my career. They asked why I was choosing roles of sisters or friends and now a mother. But I believe being typecast is not in your hand whereas working hard is in my control.

"Moreover, it depends on the type of roles you opt for. So for me if the story is good, script is reasonable and if I can depend on director's ability then it's my responsibility to portray the role with full honesty," she said.

The 28-year-old actress said she had initially thought of refusing to play the role. "I must admit when (director) Ashwini (Iyer Tiwari) offered me the role, I was scared about my image. I thought I would just read the script and say that I did not like the story. But I loved it."

"Maybe I will do something unusual again in my next film, like playing a grandmother or something," Swara quipped.

Directed by Tiwari, "Nil Battey Sannata" stars Swara in the lead along with Ratna Pathak, Pankaj Tripathi and Ria.

The film is expected to release on April 22.