Leslie interview for Pioneer

Share |

MY LIFE HAS GENERATED MOVIES AND BOOKS

Tuesday, 30 May 2017 | Sugyan Choudhury | in Bhubaneswar

Leslie Tripathy is an Indian actress who mainly appears in music videos and Bollywood. She is also acclaimed as a young Indo-Anglican poetess. Born to father SN Tripathy, a professor of English literature and mother Ashoka Tripathy, a teacher of English language; Leslie was caught in an envelope of a cultural quarantine from her early childhood. After a brilliant academic record in her graduation with a first class in English Honours, she studied journalism and mass communication at the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. Endowed with a bohemian eccentricity and with a spark of wild artistic freedom, she had a quit career in journalism as the actress in her dominated her profession. She created a sensation in the showbiz in Odisha through her video acting before her debut in the celluloid world. She made her debut in 2014 to the Hindi film industry with ‘W’, a musical thriller movie directed by Tarun Madan Chopra. She also made her forays into the Tamil and Telugu film industries adding salt and spice to her ensemble. She appeared in her first Telugu movie Chusinodiki Chusinantha starring with Sivaji.  She made her debut in the Tamil silver screen by acting in the film Idhu Vedhalam Sollum Kadhai. She has learnt the idiom and the intricacies of acting from legendary actors like Om Puri and other stalwarts of the Bollywood. She is a maestro in the making and takes to acting as a fish takes to water. In an interview to The Pioneer, Leslie discussed with Sugyan Choudhury on her career of acting at her residence at Forest Park, Bhubaneswar.

I am reminded of Shakespeare, who says “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Leslie you go by the name ‘Lezlie Tripathy’ these days. Why so?

I have been suggested my filmy name with "z" instead of "s" is numerologically viable bringing me more success and glory and validation!

Who inspired you in your film journey and to the poetry?

The beautiful people of Odisha...who smile like rainbow, the lush green fields of my motherland Odisha, the rivers and valleys...my granny's ruminating cows, the mirthful jasmine flowers of my great grandma, above all, Lord Jagannath who is beautiful  despite apparent imperfection, who is splendidly divine despite being human like...the tears and smiles of babies.

Who are your favourite poets?

I have grown up reading books written by my papa Prof Dr Sailendra Narayan Tripathy. He has been awarded and felicitated by Spanish, British and Swedish Governments for his contribution to English literature. His books are taught and translated in European colleges and universities as well. So, the accolades papa had been receiving inspired me to use my voice for the helpless and bigger causes.

Among other poets that I love reading are Sylvia Plath and Lord Byron. Even mom used to write for her school magazine. I look up to my parents and their talent as my ideals.

What inspires you to write?

I like scribbling poems. That helps me overcome my distress and conquer the world breaking glass ceilings!

Your book is titled ‘Because I Am a Girl’; could you say more about the title and why?

My book is a testament of a girl with courage and conviction to dream big and achieve her goals, breaking glass ceilings and becoming a success despite heartbreaking obstacles and impediments. And she goes on conquering the world!

What do readers get to read in your book?

My journey has been quite breathtaking. My life has been written about like a tabloid coffee-table gossip storybook. My life has generated movies and books and breaking news. I felt I wanted to tell my tales instead of running away from people who misunderstood me. I chose to be the voice of my generation.

It has been quite a while your new book hasn't hit stands?

Yes, because I was engrossed in my acting career. So, I have been expressing myself through art any way. So basically, I like to create, be it poetry or enacting, emoting the role as the script demands.

Who is your inspiration in your acting career?

My brother Shakespeare is my favourite actor and my inspiration. His success as an actor in Indian film industry inspired me to act in Bollywood. Also, I have been inspired by all-time great actors like Om Puri and other stalwarts.

Do you have any plans of joining politics?

Yes, major announcements in this regard will be made later this year.

Who are your political idols?

Gandhi, Jayalalithaa, Naveen Patnaik, Narendra Modi, Obama, Lincoln.

What are your upcoming movies?

‘Rangrasiya’, ‘Iddhu Vedhalam Sollum Kadhai’, ‘Bhavishya’, ‘Sirshak’ are on the anvil.

You sought police protection in the year 2008. Do you apprehend any such situation now or hereafter?

Yes, of course. I shall do so if the occasion so demands. I have been badly mauled for no noticeable fault of mine. I proceed in my career with charity to all and malice to none. Hence, it is a duty of the civil society, the law enforcing agencies and the ggovernment to extend me their power, providence and protection as is guaranteed by the Constitution.

Link of original interview on Pioneer website :
https://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/my-life-has-generated-movies-and-books.html?fromNewsdog=1&utm_source=NewsDog&utm_medium=referral