In the film industry, Avantika Sundar might easily be labeled a “nepo kid” because of her famous parents. However, she is determined not to let that tag hold her back as she prepares for her acting debut. Avantika, the daughter of popular actor-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar and filmmaker-actor Sundar C, is all set to enter the world of cinema.
Choosing Her Own Path
have built strong careers in Tamil cinema and also run their own production house. Despite this, Avantika didn’t expect them to launch her into the industry. She admitted, “No, very honestly, I never thought that my parents should launch me. Personally, I didn’t want that, but I would also be lying if I said I’ll just wait for someone to come approach me or I’ll do it on my own.”
She recognises the privilege of having famous parents and believes it’s fair to use their help for networking. “I think it would be wrong of meKhushbu and Sundar C not to acknowledge that I have a leg up in the film industry thanks to who my parents are. Asking my mom to at least connect me with industry people is what I can do,” she explained.
Avantika clarified that her parents didn’t offer to launch her either. She said, “The thought is that I should do it on my own and, I do want to make it on my own. But yes, I do need help with getting connected to people since I have that advantage. And it would be wrong of me to say that I did it on my own — it wouldn’t be possible without their support.”
Overcoming Her Insecurities
Avantika studied acting in London and is open to working in any Indian language, as long as the script feels right. One of the biggest hurdles she faced was her height. At 5 feet 11 inches, she was unsure if she fit the traditional image of a leading lady.
“I waited a long time to make my acting debut because of my height. I was very conscious of the fact that I was really tall, and I didn’t necessarily fit into that ‘mould’ of how an actress should look,” she revealed. She also spoke about her teenage years when she was overweight, wore glasses, and didn’t feel confident. Watching glamorous actresses on screen made her doubt herself.
But everything changed during the pandemic. After recovering from an injury, she had time to reflect. That helped her see things differently. “I decided to become the best version of myself and pursue my dream,” she said with a smile.
No Limits on the Kind of Roles
Unlike some new actors who limit themselves to certain types of roles, Avantika has no such rules. She wants to explore all kinds of characters, especially with the rise of OTT platforms in India. “Very selfishly, I see myself doing everything! I fully acknowledge that it’s a selfish answer, but I don’t think I want to limit myself to any particular roles/s,” she said.
She believes staying in one zone can be risky for an actor. “I want to do absolutely anything and everything as long as it’s something that speaks to me,” she added.
Learning to Face Scrutiny
Since the Indian film industry works differently from the West, Avantika made sure she was mentally prepared before stepping in. Her parents warned her that there would be extra attention on her because of their fame. “The one thing my parents did talk to me about was the fact that there would be a lot of scrutiny because of who they are. And I think that’s completely fair, and I am prepared for that,” she said.
That’s one of the reasons she enrolled in drama school. She wanted to build her confidence and overcome her shy nature. “Someone taking a pic of me would terrify me,” she admitted. Drama school helped her face her fears and improve her acting skills. It also taught her to value everyone on set. “Having been in front and behind the camera at school also taught me that everyone on set was important,” she explained.
Handling Pressure and Fear of Failure
Being the child of two highly successful people can be intimidating. Avantika feels that pressure too. “I do have that thought in my mind. But I can’t say that I’ll be as successful or more than them. I sure can hope and try my very best, and hopefully, I get there,” she said.
She’s open about her fear of failure. “Don’t get me wrong, I am terrified of failing. I am,” she said. However, she’s grateful for the support system around her — friends and family who remind her that giving her best is what truly matters.
“I am someone who believes that how the audience perceives you is very important. In a sense, if they like you, they like you, which leads to more opportunities and success. Today, the audience is very smart and very vocal about their opinions, and I respect that,” she added.
Staying Grounded in a Changing Industry
As she prepares to begin her journey, Avantika remains grounded and realistic about the uncertain nature of showbiz. “Cinema is a very unpredictable industry, and I say that for everyone, including actors. You can be successful one day, and the next day, you’re not. Or, off the bat, you are nobody,” she reflected.
With quiet determination, she concluded, “Personally, I want to act for as long as I can and give it my best every single time.”
