'Arrested actor Marria wanted a Bollywood career'

Bangalore, May 22 (IANS) Kannada film actor Marria alias Monika Susayraj, arrested in Mumbai for the murder of a senior official of a television production company, was indifferent to pursuing a career in Kannada film industry, says S. Govind, who directed her debut film "Jhoot".

She acted in just four Kannada films and appeared to be more keen on a career in Hindi films and TV serials, and hence had left for Mumbai, according to sources here.

Marria, 27, was arrested Wednesday by Mumbai Police for the murder of Neeraj Grover, creative head of Synergy Adlabs. Her naval officer boyfriend, M.L. Jerome Mathew, was arrested in Kochi.

Marria's debut film in Kannada did not do well at the box office and her performance went unnoticed, though it earned appreciation from film critics, says Govind.

"Still, she could have moved forward in the industry, but I think she lost focus and took some sundry roles in one or two films. She was bold, but she showed a lot of indifference in pursuing her career," he says.

Another film director, Nandakumar, who introduced Marria to Govind, says that "she used to run a dance school in Mysore and had told me that it was her ambition to become an actress".

She was involved in a controversy in her short stint with the Kannada film industry.

Kannada film actor and producer Madan Mallu, who had cast her as one of the heroines in his film "OK saar OK', accused her of unprofessional behaviour at a press conference, where she was present.

She not only defended herself, but also accused Mallu of sexual harassment and the matter was settled by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.

She also acted in "Ekadhantha" directed by Marathi director and actor Sachin.