Winning people’s hearts is never easy, yet this Heart Beat star seems to have done it with remarkable ease. (Alright, forgive the wordplay, but it’s hard to ignore the numbers!) In just a short span, she has earned the admiration of over 4.5 lakh fans, and it’s no surprise why. Akshathaa Ajit, who brings the character Nilofer to life, has truly captivated audiences with her magnetic screen presence and emotionally rich performances. With the latest season of Heart Beat wrapping up on a high note, we sat down with Akshathaa for an exclusive conversation, diving into her love for the craft, her approach to acting, and the exciting path ahead for her on the Tamil silver screen.

You became a familiar face through Kana Kaanum Kaalangal and Heart Beat. How did your journey into acting begin, and what drew you to the small screen?
Basically, I’ve loved acting for as long as I can remember. Even in school, I was always part of dramas and stage plays, that’s really where the spark began. After finishing 12th grade, I attended the Kana Kaanum Kaalangal audition and landed a role, which opened the first real door for me. From there, films followed, and eventually, I got my much-cherished role in Heart Beat. That’s how the journey unfolded, one step at a time.

Can you talk about your school and how your acting journey began?
I studied at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ashok Nagar, where we had a Sanskrit teacher named Raghavendra Sir. He was the one who taught me to act and guided many of us on stage. Under his direction, we performed impactful plays like Bharata Mata, Saraswati, and several others with powerful dialogues. Watching him perform was mesmerizing; our eyes would literally light up in awe. I eventually approached him and began learning the craft from him.

Recently, I happened to see him at Forum Mall. He didn’t recognize me after all these years, but I still walked up to him. I told him how deeply he had inspired me and thanked him for teaching me the art when all I had was only the desire to act.

Do you still draw inspiration from Raghavendra Sir to act in front of the camera?
Of course, there are many film actors who inspire me, but the impact is entirely different when the inspiration comes from people you meet in real life. It could be my parents, also. They have been a huge source of motivation. They could have easily discouraged me, and maybe my journey would have been delayed by five or six years. Instead, they encouraged me to pursue acting while continuing my studies.

During Kana Kaanum Kaalangal, I was doing my B.Com, and now I’m pursuing an MBA while still staying committed to my craft. Their support made it possible for me to grow in both directions without having to choose one over the other.

Heart Beat reminds many of Grey’s Anatomy, a mix of emotion, medicine, and drama. How was it stepping into that world, and what kind of preparation went into your role?
Nilofer is very special to me. I’ve portrayed many characters in films, and most of them have been calm and grounded, far from the talkative, energetic ones. In Kana Kaanum Kaalangal, my role as Stella was hyperactive, and Nilofer shared a similar spark. I was initially worried the audience might not see the distinction between them. But after speaking with Deepak sir, I realised Nilofer was a completely different person. Stella is a naive schoolgirl with no real worries, whereas Nilofer carries layers, a girl who begins with an upbeat, bubbly nature but gradually softens once her past unravels. Her character graph has a clear and meaningful shift.

During the prep, Shyam Anna and Deepak sir simply told me, “Be yourself.” While some parts of Nilofer felt familiar, the latter emotional beats demanded more from me. For instance, in real life, I don’t have a boyfriend, but Nilofer had to express the pain of losing one while navigating a relationship with another.

Since that emotion was new to me, I needed time to absorb it and perform authentically. My co-actor Shivam, who plays Kiran, was incredibly supportive throughout the process, which made it easier to bring Nilofer’s journey to life.

You’ve built an impressive fanbase of over 4 lakh followers in a short span. What do you think connects you most with your online audience?
It is really a big thing. I genuinely admire people who post reels; it takes so much confidence and courage to put yourself out there. They think, they create, they perform. But for some reason, when it comes to reels, I overthink a lot. Ask me to act, and I’ll do it instantly… but reels? I freeze. Even then, people have recognised my work through my acting and shown me so much love. I honestly don’t know if I deserve it or if people will continue to support me, but I feel deeply grateful for everything that has come my way.

How do you manage the balance between being a television actor and an online personality?
Actually, both are the same. I talk about whatever I feel like. I don’t really worry about what people think of me. I’ll just make sure I am respectable. You remember, you asked me to feel free before the interview, I am very free all the time. Instead, I’ll ask you to be free. (Laughs)

What’s a regular day like for you when you’re shooting?
On shoot days, I’m up by 5:30 or 6:00 a.m., ready to dive into a packed schedule. On non-shoot days, I let myself sleep in until 8:00 a.m. and focus on studying, since I’m balancing college alongside work. I make time to meet my friends too, they’re the sweetest, always adjusting to my schedule and dropping by on my off days instead of planning outings. I play badminton, skate, or simply do whatever interests me at the moment. A normal shoot day is completely packed: I prep everything the night before, wake up, eat, and head straight to the set.

What is style according to you?
My style is confidence. Whatever we wear, we should feel comfortable in it. You can wear anything, as long as it makes you feel at ease. For me, if an outfit gives me confidence when I’m standing on a stage, that’s style. When I go for a shoot, no matter what I’m wearing, I’m comfortable. I don’t have to think twice, “Can I run in this? Can I move freely?” My style comes from that confidence.

What have these past few years in television taught you — about the industry and about yourself?
A lot of things. If I wasn’t in the media, I don’t think I would’ve learnt this much. My mother always says, “Achu is better at talking to people.” People no longer see me as a little girl. Even though I’m still in college, they believe I can handle anything. The media has taught me so much: how to deal with people, how to carry myself, and even when someone speaks ill of me, I’ve learnt to respond with respect.

What’s next for Akshatha? Any dreams or projects on TV, OTT, or commercial cinema that you’re excited about in the near future?
I have acted alongside Nayanthara ma’am in a film called Mannangatti: Since 1960. Other than that, there are several other films lined up too that I cannot reveal at the moment.

Favourite actors?
Nani, Sai Pallavi, Nithya Menon and Anushka.

Favourite Films?
Siva Manasula Sakthi, Shyam Singha Roy, Kannathil Muthamittal and Minasaru Kanavu.