Actor Nanditha poses for the cameras in her golden yellow silk sari. She looked the part she plays in her upcoming movie Nalanum Nandhiniyum , that of a traditional girl. “I play Nandhini, who is responsible, unlike me,” she laughs.
Life after Attakathi has been a happy outing, she says as she settles down for a chat. “I wanted to be introduced in Tamil films with a good project. I am happy that people liked me as Poornima, the timid girl I played in the film,” she says.
Back to school days
Attakathi directed by Pa. Ranjith, a former assistant of Venkat Prabhu, is a simple tale of a middle-class youngster from suburban Chennai. It highlights the camaraderie and the romance that happen on buses from the suburbs to the college in the city. ‘Aadi Pona Aavani’, the hummable gaana song from the film became popular with the youth. “Though I was laughing away while filming the song, I realised much later that the entire song is about the heroine. Poornima in Attakathi took me back to my school days. Director Vetrimaaran and Venkat Prabhu told the media that I have acted well and it has given me a boost.” The movie also fulfilled her wishes of going to college (as she entered films soon after school). About the song ‘Aasai Oru Panithuli’, she says, “In that song, I play throw ball, and generally have a good time in college. I didn’t even pay attention to my make up, I just soaked it all in and enjoyed myself. A lot of candid shots were used in the song,” she recalls.
Nanditha looks forward to her two new films — Nalanum Nandhiniyum, written and directed by Venkatesan R., associate of director Venkat Prabhu, and Edhir Neechal directed by Senthil, Vetrimaaran’s former assistant, and produced by Dhanush. Nanditha is paired with Siva Karthikeyan in Edhir Neechal . “I play the role of an athlete,” she reveals. Nanditha was introduced to Kannada films with Nanda Nandhita where she acted with Yogesh, who is referred to as Kannada’s Dhanush.
Being a part of well-known production houses, says Nanditha, has given her a good start. Though she is open to doing films in any language, she finds the Tamil industry welcoming. “It encourages newcomers. Every week, there are more than three releases that are opening to good reviews. Senior directors spread the good word when they see good work. If you are hard working, you can be assured of rewards here.”
About her future roles, she says she wants to be versatile like former actor Lakshmi. “She portrayed a variety of roles with finesse. I too want to choose roles that have scope for performance, a mix of commercial and offbeat ones. A number of girls from Mumbai appears in the song-and-dance routine and vanish from the scene. I want my characters stay on in the minds of the audience.”
