I have learnt to enjoy controversies: Nisha Kothari

Bangalore, Oct 15 (IANS) Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma's discovery Nisha aka Priyanka Kothari says she has learnt to enjoy the controversies that surround her because they are an intrinsic part of an actor's career.

'I don't feel bad when my name figures in controversies. I didn't do anything consciously to be a part of those controversies, but controversies surround me. Now, I enjoy controversies and look at their positive side,' Nisha told IANS.

However, she doesn't like it when she is romantically linked with her mentor Varma.

'Don't ascribe things that do not relate to me. Varmaji was only a director to me and I remained an actress of his films,' Nisha said when asked about her present equations with the filmmaker.

Nisha debuted with a cameo in Varma's 'Sarkar' followed by a full-fledged role in his crime thriller 'James'. She also featured as Basanti in 'Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag', a remake of the 1975 hit 'Sholay'.

She was also in the news for her skin show on screen, but the actress doesn't regret it.

When her career didn't take off in Bollywood, Nisha reverted to her original name Priyanka and moved down south. But her first Telugu film 'Okka Magaadu', in which she was paired with Balakrishna, bombed.

But the actress, still better known as Nisha, is happy because despite a bad start she is getting offers. She is working in a Telugu film and also signed a Kannada film 'Raaj, the Showman' in which she has teamed up with Kannada star Puneet Raj Kumar.

The actress has replaced glamorous actress Malavika in a bilingual film that will be made simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu.

Nisha is one more addition to the list of the not so successful Bollywood heroines who are making a splash in the South Indian film industry.

Currently, the actress is shooting for her debut Kannada film in Madikeri, 250 km from here.

Nisha may well take up some more offers down south, but reiterates that she would take up Kannada offers only after she completes her work in 'Raaj, the Showman'.

'I have worked in two schedules of the film so far in Bangalore and Mysore. We have now moved to Madikeri to shoot some songs. I am really enjoying the work here. Director Prem focuses more on details. And with a big star like Puneet Raj Kumar supporting me with the dialogues, I am really smiling all the time,' said Nisha.

Asked about her decision to revert to her original name, she said: 'My father suggested that I change by name. I decided to have my original name. After the name change, I am seeing a big turnaround in my career,' she said.