If Bollywood is my destiny…

Tamannah as a village belle

“Directors tell the same story over and over again,” says Tamannah Bhatia, “yet we never get tired of watching the endless variations and the framework because there is some magic and purity in love stories and they are made with different perspective each time.” Tamannah is talking about her role in the forthcoming moviewith Naga Chaitanya , 100% Love . The hero plays a college topper and the heroine a villager who doesn't like to study. Both the characters are well etched and the heroine grows a great deal over a span of three or four years. After Happy Days , Tamannah had signed two films for Geeta Arts banner and she got busy with Tamil projects. When director Sukumar was ready with his script, he told her he had an “amazing character” for Tamannah and she felt that she could relate to it. That's why she's working for both their movies.

Tamannah's absolutely flawless face fetched her more roles that were glamour-oriented, but will she fit into a village belle's character well? “More than anybody the director should believe in what he's doing and I think beyond looks there is something called performance. I play a high-energy person, intrigued by everything around. Hope it comes out well,” she says.

Tamannah never looks out of place, no matter how shallow her role is. She has evolved as an actress over the years and films like

Konchem Istam Konchem Kastam,

Ayan, Kalloori, Paiyya and

Siruthai (a remake of

Vikramarkudu ) have proved she's not just a pretty face but also a blend of fine acting. One remembers at the preview of

Ananda Thandavam in 2009, which eventually tanked at the box office, she watched her work as if it was her debut project and was eager to find out where she failed. She absorbs everything like a piece of sponge and works towards perfecting her shot.

A very easy-going person with no airs or tantrums, she's an absolute pleasure to work with, say directors. Tammanah adds, “What I have learnt over the years is to relax in front of the camera, a lot of good work happens when you try not to be superficial and enjoy, live for that moment. I often marvel at Chaitanya's performance, he is so effortless in front of the camera. After crossing the language hurdle initially, I have begun to concentrate on giving a depth to my work. I think I've been fortunate enough to have the best films, a perfect mix both of Telugu and Tamil.”

Tamannah says that for certain people a ‘meaningful' film means an art project that might not reach most people. What matters to her is that as many people as possible should watch her film, enjoy the three hours and feel like coming back again. No wonder when you ask her what she is doing in a complete hero-oriented project like Badrinath she says, “Bunny cannot do a heroine's role right, for that I'm there.” She adds that it is a total contrast to what she did in 100% Love and she is glad she is doing a variety at this point of time. She is willing to talk about Raccha starring NTR and Mana Love Story with Ram at an appropriate time. Around half a dozen heroines from the South are trying their luck in Hindi cinema, what about her? She says firmly that she refuses to plan her career because nothing that she ever planned worked out in her favour and she's quite happy with the way her career is progressing.

“If Hindi cinema is in my destiny it will come to me no matter what,” she signs off.