Director’s delight

Actor Sunaina who maintained a low profile for some time is back with not one but three films — Thiruthani, Samar and Neer Paravai

Sunaina

Pain and fear may make others shudder, but not actor Sunaina, who has a completely different take on both.

“I think the nervousness one experiences before a challenge is what drives one to give his or her best,” says the young actor, who, after being away from the limelight for a while, is back with three films, Thiruthani, Samar and Neer Paravai, set to hit the screens shortly.

An actor with immense potential, most people in the industry expected Sunaina to reach the top after her excellent performances in her earlier films. However, that was not to be as she chose to maintain a low profile for a couple of years.

“Nothing really special came my way during this time. I did not want to take up anything that was not challenging enough. Also, on the personal front, someone close to me passed away. I needed time to come to terms with life. I am someone who entered films immediately after schooling and therefore never had the chance to learn from experience. In the past two years, I have had that opportunity. The pain has helped me grow and made me a better person, a better actor. I don’t fake emotions on screen now,” says Sunaina.

Her claim about becoming a better actor is not unsubstantiated, as directors vouch for her ability to come up with impressive performances — the most impressed with her talent is director Cheenu Ramasamy, whose earlier film Thenmerku Paruvakaatru won a national award.

Draw her attention to what Cheenu had earlier said about Sunaina deserving a national award for her realistic portrayal in his upcoming

Neer Paravai , and she says, “The story takes place in a fishing hamlet and I play a Christian girl who is quiet and disciplined. Vishnu plays a drunkard who falls in love with the heroine. I was fascinated by this role. Director Cheenu would often say, ‘Speak from your heart and it will show in your eyes. I did just that. By the end of the first schedule, I was really into the character. I could experience the pain the girl went through. I cried so much for this song because I could relate to what happened in her life. I have given the role my best shot. However, it will not fetch me a national award, for one needs to dub in one’s own voice to be eligible and I have not done so.”

Neer Paravai is not the only film Sunaina is counting on, she has Thiruthani and Samar too in her kitty.

“ Thiruthani , directed by Perarasu, features Bharath and me in the lead. I have finished my portions for the film and I can tell you it is a character that is as important as the hero,” says Sunaina.

What about her role in Samar , where she stars with Vishal and Trisha?

“ Samar is an out-and-out action film directed by Thiru. I play Vishal’s girlfriend. Some sequences featuring me were shot in Ooty and the remaining in Thailand. Vishal and Trisha are fun to work with. Initially, I was a little worried about working on this project as both of them are leading stars. I found Trisha very friendly. Both Vishal and Trisha take the stress out of work; and so, it turned out to be a memorable experience.”