Samyukta is a highly talented, stage and Indian screen actress, who works primarily in the Kannada film industry, but has also showcased her talent, in several multilingual movies, one of which, named “TOBY” is under production. With several hits, to her credit, in the last twenty years, starting very young, she has now, matured, into a seasoned actress. Her movies like ‹Barfi’ .’JigarThanda’, and «Life Istene “, are among the well-known movies. She was felicitated by Filmfare with two awards, one for best debut actress in 2014 and, one for best-supporting actress in 2017.
She is a nature lover, an avid reader, and indulges in her favorite pastime cooking and traveling, as time permits. Since childhood, she has lived in a fantasy world of dreams, often sitting on a tree trunk and letting her imagination run mayhem. She loved nature and animals, which influenced her ambition to become a veterinary doctor while growing up. Her father ensured a strict upbringing, warranting a disciplined lifestyle. The rules were straightforward, and a firm hand ensured their implementation. She was sent for holidays to her aunt›s farm, where she got to interact with animals and learn how to milk a cow. Her childhood also saw the influence of theater and cinema in her life, with her grandmother the famous Bhargavi Narayan, and mother Sudha Belwadi, playing a major role in shaping her life. At the age of 6, she acted in a play, directed by her grandmother. w. Her grandmother, besides being a famous actress, was a well-known writer too and has won several accolades for her books, and acting. Her uncle Prakash Belwadi is an Indian theater artist, film director, journalist, and social activist.
Samuukta was greatly influenced by her Ajee or grandmother. Her Ajee infused love into everything she did, created, or in all her relationships. Love was the language Samyukta understood and imbibed right from her childhood. Everything she undertook, was from her heart with love, and rejected anything which did not capture her interest or imagination. Her passion, transformed into her dream vision, through acting, cooking, and love for animals and nature. Her outstanding roles, performed on stage, were directed and guided, by Mrs. Jayshree, with incredible credentials, including a Padma Shri. The consequence of this was seen in the stellar performance she displayed, at the age of 16, in a solemn play, where a young girl loses her husband. In spite of running a high temperature, she was able to break down and shed ample tears, as she recalled all the hurt and anger deep within her, as a result of her college experience at Mt Carmel College, when she was bullied and beaten, by a group.of girls.One of the girls was later featured in the Bangalore Times newspaper, as a contestant for Miss Femina. Her sole goal at that time was to appear in BT too and prove a point to the bullies. This resulted in her accepting movie offers, which till then she had refrained from. Her debut movie was “LifeU Ishtene “directed by Pawan Kumar. She went on to perform in several hit movies her latest movie in progress, is a film called “Toby”, being shot in several languages.
Food has played a central role in her life, having witnessed the passion and love with which her Ajee and mother cooked. Food to her is sacred and must be cooked with love, and consumed, without any distractions.
She Focuses on the food and relishes every morsel of it while cooking. Home-cooked food, which includes a plethora of vegetables and fruits, is her daily fare, and carries home-cooked food, to the places she goes. Her comfort food is “GojjuAvalakki ,” consisting of beaten rice made with tamarind, jaggery, and some spices. Eaten with curds, she passionately longs for the dish, during her long bouts of dieting. Her coffee sessions in the morning are sacred to her, especially the frothy filter coffee, made at her place. She uses all her senses while cooking or eating, sensing and tasting each spice, which has its own distinctive taste. She acted in a film called “Sokarna” based on the subject of food. Each spice or ingredient be it cocum, fenugreek, cloves, or coconut, carries its own distinctive soul and taste. Her ajee tutored her, on how each dish requires the right ingredient, in the right amount, and should be cooked, at the right temperature. She hates buffets and weddings where eating is more of a social nicety and prefers to sit with like-minded people, who share her passion for food. Her sibling and she grew up, competing in the kitchen, as to who could make better Bajiyas or Masala Dosa. Her Ajee”s Bisibelebath, was a piece of art according to her, as it incorporated lots of love, and even without vegetables, it was delicious. Festivals were special to her family, which was bonding, cooking, and praying together.
Ganesh Chaturthi was significant and memorable when food played a major role. Everyone chipped in to help Ajee make those delicious thin Obbattu or Puran poli, a specialty that required skilled craftsmanship, to execute it. She learned several dishes from her Ajee but still has to master the craft of making paper-thin Obbattu. She loves everything about her life, she travels, her love for solitude, learning new skills, reading, her career, loving and looking after people and animals, her career, and above all food. She only uses crockery designed and crafted by her. Her close ties to her family and her grounded humble approach to life, makes one admire this plucky, straightforward beautiful young woman., who is thankful for the gift of life.