Tamannaah is trying to simultaneously work in the Telugu, Tamil and Hindi film industries. And it’s tough, not just physically but also logistically. “It is tiring and difficult to manage dates but I love doing it. Also, I am not in favour of switching totally to Hindi, as I haven’t found very interesting projects yet. But unlike other actresses who have decided to focus only on Bollywood, I haven’t done that either so the space is open really,” says the actress whose Humshakals by director Sajid Khan released this Friday. Later this year, Tamannaah has Sajid-Farhad’s It’s Entertainment with Akshay Kumar.
She is working with two big stars in Bollywood and Tamannaah says she is not just thankful but also surprised. “After Himmatwala , I was surprised that I got two mainstream films with Saif and Akshay. My looks in that film were very different as I had to go retro. Also, it being a remake, the comparison (with Sridevi) was never easy on me. My weight, hairstyle and attire were the director’s vision in keeping with the mood of the film,” she says talking about the criticism she received. This time around, Tamannaah has ensured that people will see her for what she is with her VJ character Shanaya. “She is young, modern, lively — much like me. She dresses well and speaks a modern lingo. In fact, since I play a VJ I got to mouth the same lines that Sajid (Khan, director) would use to start his television show — main hoon aapki host aur dost ! Only, thankfully, I don’t say Sajid Khan!” she giggles.
This is also the first time she has made friends in the industry — with Saif Ali Khan and wife Kareena Kapoor. “The two of them went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. I haven’t encountered that kind of warmth here before,” she says. What about her director Sajid who has cast her twice, she adds, “Sajid is not the sort who’d cast anyone just because of friendship. He casts people only if they suit the role.”
Tamannaah is about to begin her epic film Baahubali next month. It is a two-part movie and while Tamannaah is part of the first, Anushka Shetty is in part two. “I can say it with great pride that I am part of this very special film. I have been in the industry for almost 10 years now, but Rajamouli sir never once called me. If he has now, it means a lot to me as it shows that he feels I am right for this role. I play a warrior. My look is going to take a complete turn,” she says. Telugu film Aagadu with Mahesh Babu and the Boss Engira Bhaskaran romcom sequel (in Tamil) with Arya Rajesh are also coming up. In Hindi, she hasn’t signed anything new. “After Humshakals and It’s Entertainment , I have decided I will sign on anything new only if it challenges me.”
