Trisha is shooting for Appa Takkaru in Pollachi when she takes a break for a chat with us. I am given strict instructions not to ask her about her engagement or her fiancé. Excerpts:
After Endrendrum Punnagai with Andrea, Yennai Arindhaal with Anushka, it's now Appa Takkaru with Anjali.
In these times, I think it’s silly to be worried about multi-starrers. As long as my character is important to the story, it doesn’t matter.
Do you compare your role with the other actresses of these films?
Not really. I ask for a detailed narration obviously, but that’s about it. What worried me about Yennai Arindhaal wasn’t co-starring with Anushka, but playing the mother of a three-year-old.
And then, what changed?
Well, Gautham Menon happened ( laughs ). How could I say no to him? This was the director who gave me Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa and lifted me out of a lean patch. After he narrated Yennai Arindhaal , I slept on it. I woke up the next morning with the epiphany that I shouldn’t shy away from experimentation; not at this stage of my career when I can pick and choose.
If you remember, I didn’t have a single release last year. I go through periods when I don’t feel like signing any film. I take a break, travel, and return reinvigorated.
You say you can afford to experiment. You also continue to sign masala films. Is there a contradiction here?
I love commercial films and enjoy the experience of watching them on release day. I realised early in my career that they’re important for sustenance. If I had chosen only art house films, I wouldn’t have lasted so long. Also, many people seem to believe that commercial films are easy — they aren’t. Dancing and comedy are more difficult than they seem.
Appa Takkaru must be a lot of work then, considering it’s a masala comedy.
You could say so. I play Divya, a city-based glam girl, completely in contrast to Hemanika in Yennai Arindhaal . Ravi, the hero, plays a village bumpkin and the laughs come from the contrast in our characters. It's been a while since I did comedy, so I’m quite excited.
Does a hero’s recent track record influence your choice of films? Ravi, for example, hasn’t seen great success of late.
It’s the producer’s concern honestly. I’ve had lulls too. It’s natural for any experienced actor to have their share of flops. I’m more concerned about the director and my character.
You have a great voice. Why don’t you dub for yourself?
( Laughs ) Thank you. I have dubbed for three films in the past, and intend to do more in the future.
In a previous interview, you admitted to being in love with fame. What when the stardom fades?
Fame never truly dies. I understand that stars always get replaced, but even when that happens, they never truly end up becoming anonymous. So, I don’t have to worry about that; not yet, at least, while I’m still signing films. Apart from Appa Takkaru , I’ve signed Bhogi , a Tamil-Telugu bilingual about three girl friends. I’m also doing Telugu actor Balakrishna’s next, Lion.
Quite a signing spree. Can we conclude that your wedding isn’t imminent and that you aren't quitting films?
Yes, no wedding for now. And let me ask you, would you ever ask a man if he plans to quit films after marriage?
No. But that’s because it's the women whose offers dry up after marriage, is it not?
Well, if that happens, I’ll figure out something else. Till then, I have every intention of doing films. I won’t quit cinema; if offers reduce after marriage, it’ll be cinema quitting me.
