By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, Dec 24 (IANS): Tejaswini Kolhapure, the talented but underused sibling of Padmini Kolhapure, had a tough time playing a troubled alcoholic wife-mother in Anurag Kashyap's "Ugly".

To get to feel like a real alcoholic, Tejaswini actually downed the hard stuff on the sets. Though it isn't unusual for male actors to drink on the job while playing an alcoholic, it is still pretty unusual for actresses to hit the bottle to look in character.

Confirming this bottled ode to method acting, Tejaswini said: "Yes, I did consume drink to play the character, but not as much as to lose my senses. No matter how drunk the character got, I had to be in-charge."

Tejaswini is very excited about the release of "Ugly", which hits theatres Friday.

"Audiences and critics will finally see my work in 'Ugly'. I'm very excited because this is my second film with Anurag Kashyap. I started my acting career with Anurag in 'Paanch', which never got released," she said.

Reactions to the film and to her performance have so far been overwhelming.

"My family and friends have watched 'Ugly'. Their response is heartening. I do hope Indian audiences accept and like the film," she said.

Tejaswini thinks "Ugly" to be among Kashyap's best works.

"The audience won't be able to move from its seats. I owe my entire excistence as an actress to Anurag Kashyap," she added.