Face-off in Kollywood
How do our own gorgeous humshakals cope with not really being one-of-a-kind? DC finds out
By : logesh balachandran
Update: 2014-09-03 23:21 GMT
Chennai: They say there are seven people who resemble each one of us somewhere around the world. Though the scientific explanation behind this is uncertain, the showbiz industry bears ample witness to this with, if not seven, at least, one or two look-alikes. After Hollywood and Bollywood, now Kollywood too has its share of doppelgangers, especially when it comes to actresses.
Kollywood leading lady Hansika looks very much like yesteryear heartthrob Kushboo. In the 1980s, Kushboo fans would go crazy when she danced. When Hansika made her debut with Maapillai, movie buffs immediately rechristened her ‘Kutti Kushboo’ in the social media as they thought she resembled Kushboo in her physique and facial features. Hansika, one of K’town’s top actresses today, has always felt proud when fans have compared her with the yesteryear diva. Kushboo thinks such comparisons are unwarranted.
“I don’t like it when people compare two individuals as each has his or her own identity. Hansika is a sweet person; when people compare her to me, I feel that it’s an insult to Hansika. She is good at heart as she takes it as a compliment, but if I were in her position, I would have got irritated.”
The 555 star Erica Fernandez has often been referred as the twin sister of south Indian glam doll Ileana. Directors, whom Erica has worked with, have also said that she resembles the Nanban actress. “When people say that I look like someone, it’s tolerable to a certain extent. But after that it gets a little irritating as I have my own personality. I don’t want to be known as someone’s lookalike. I managed to make a name for myself, and I like it that way. Many have remarked that we were ‘beach mein bichde hui beheney’…(sisters separated on the beach).”
There have been directors in K-town who have launched a few heroines in Tamil films upon the very premise that they resemble top actresses in the industry. S.J Suryah launched Meera Chopra in his film, Anbae Aruyire, and has even said in interviews that he liked her as she resembled Simran.
When Poorna made her debut in Tamil with the film, Muniyandi Vilangiyal, she never thought that actor Vijay would comment on the similarities she bore to Asin. “I am happy that people compare me to someone who looks so beautiful,” says Poorna. “I have lost a few film offers, though as filmmakers felt I may try to duplicate her. But I always take things positively, and I am happy to look like someone.”