Jun 17, 2026 9:00pm IST
Avantika Sundar On Being Compared To Her Mother Kushboo: ‘It’s Happened Since Childhood’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Arc lights beckon Avantika Sundar, daughter of actress and politician Kushboo Sundar and director C Sundar, who is making her acting debut in Malayalam and Tamil industries with “Aarambam” and “Attack,” respectively. The debutante actress talks about her films, comparisons with her mother and how she prioritizes mental health in this exclusive interview with Variety India.
Tell us about your experience of facing the camera for the first time…
Honestly, it was initially pretty daunting. I don't think it's easy for anyone, whether it's your first movie or your 10th movie. I mean, I've also heard from a few actor friends and even from my own parents that you always have first-day nerves. I don't think that ever goes away. But I think once I got into the groove of things, I got more confident in myself. And I had amazing people on set who had my back, and that also helped.
You're making your debut with “Aarambam,” a Malayalam film. Do you speak the language?
I don't really speak the language, but after working on the set, I can understand quite a bit now, fortunately. It is very tough, and honestly, I went for it because I just really liked the story of the film. It's a very sweet mother-and-daughter story about these three generations of women.
You are also making your Tamil debut with “Attack,” a volleyball-themed period drama. What drew you to this film?
If I connect with the story and feel like this is something that I can do justice to, then I do it. If the director trusts me with a story, then I'm going to do my best.
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Do you feel you have to work harder to prove yourself?
Obviously, I come from a privileged background. I do have to work hard, but it would be very, very ignorant for me to say I have to work twice as hard. I have my foot through the door. I'm getting projects. I have people approaching me. And I'm very sure there are a hundred people who are twice as talented, but who have to work thrice as hard to just get their foot through the door. But having said that, I do have to work hard to prove myself.
Why didn't Dad (Sundar C) launch you?
That's a very conscious choice that I made, because, given my background, it would be a very easy route for me to take. And despite everything that I'm about to say now, it has still been a relatively easy route for me to take. But I feel like at a certain point, I have to draw the line at taking undue advantage of my position.
Are you prepared for the inevitable comparisons with your mother?
I've been compared to my mother (Kushboo) since I was a child. So, I'm pretty used to it. I'm very lucky that I'm surrounded by some very good friends and family who keep me grounded and don't let the criticism get to me.
What advice did your parents give you before your debut?
My parents don't really interfere with my work and my projects. They treat me as an independent adult and let me make my own decisions. But whenever I do have questions or doubts, I go to them for advice. Otherwise, they're pretty much hands-off.
How do you ensure that trolling doesn't impact your mental health?
I was around 13 years old when trolls would tell me that I didn’t look like my mother. Or later, when I lost a lot of weight, there were all kinds of rumors. I had to put out a statement about my weight-loss journey. But over time, I have developed a thick skin. I think trolls are people who have nothing better to do.
I also have a wonderful therapist. I see her once or twice a week. And she helps me, and besides her, my friends and my family are also there. But I’m blessed because it's never gotten to me.
Your sister Anandita has become a producer. Do you see a role reversal happening someday?
Our roles are clear-cut for the time being, but one can never say never. My sister is amazing at what she does. She's one of the hardest-working people I have seen. I don't see myself in that position right now.
What about working with your parents and sister in a family production?
There used to be a phase where I felt that I would never work with my family. But now I think differently. You never know.
Do you have any political aspirations like your mother?
I'm focused on acting, and politics has never been something that has interested me from a politician's angle. I'm someone who has my own beliefs politically. And I would rather not get into that.
There is a lot of conversation on the objectification of women in cinema. What is your opinion?
I think it's a very, very important conversation to be had. And there's chatter where the artist is blamed for taking up such a role that objectifies her. I don't think that's fair to say that, because as actors, you are told something when you sign up for a role, and what ends up in the final product is completely different. Also, as an actor, there is limited power you have on a set. We can only say so much, and actors don’t spend time in the editing room. We are not there for post-production. You know, we can't go in. There's only so much we can do. We can raise our voices and express our boundaries, but when those boundaries are crossed, that's not okay.
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