The paparazzi is confused. A shiny red brand new Audi A6 Matrix stands in one corner of the spacious hall at ITC Grand Chola. Beside the luxury on wheels stands Uthama Villain star Pooja Kumar, in a long black dress, with her needle-straight hair gathered on one shoulder. The camera lenses alternate between the two, until Pooja slides into the car, and flashes a smile for the clicks.
On the sidelines of the unveiling of the newest version of Audi, Pooja talks about her love for the Tamil language, respect for Kamal Haasan and the film industry here. “Tamil cinema is always my first priority. I feel so welcomed here. That apart, there are so many talented filmmakers and writers here… so much potential. Also, I think it is a really exciting time for Kollywood, I see so many changes happening in the way things are,” says Pooja, who has done several Hindi and English projects. “If given a choice, I would like to work with all the Tamil actors,” she adds with a laugh.
Pooja is currently reading two Hindi scripts, besides one with director Vasanth. She reveals that the movie is women-oriented and has three female actors in important roles — one of them being Parvathy Menon. “That’s all I am supposed to reveal,” she says. Instead, she talks about her life after Uthama Villain . “It’s been amazing. I have been getting so much feedback about my work. So many people have come to me and said that they love it. I feel that people want me to be here,” says Pooja, who is working on her Tamil.
“Working with Kamal sir has sort of enhanced my passion for work, the urge to constantly learn and be credible. Working with someone of his calibre kind of re-evaluates what you are doing, where you want to go and what you want to contribute,” says Pooja, who plays the lead role opposite Kamal in Vishwaroopam and Vishwaroopam2 . “Cinema is tough business, and I have seen how hard Kamal sir works,” she adds.
During the time off their shoots, she recalls Kamal giving her a simple piece of advice — Be truthful. “He said that whatever character you are portraying, it will come through what you have experienced in life. I like watching Tabu, Ramya, and Khushbu and I know that their performance is a coalition of all their life’s experiences put together,” she says.
As much as she loves working in Kollywood, she expresses her displeasure at controversies and censorship. “Being a democracy, we should have the choice to be creative. Of course, there are certain limits that we have to adhere to, but everyone should be given a choice for what they want to watch,” she says firmly.
