Of substance, glamour and dark truth

 

Avani speaks to DC about her experiences working in both the movies, which have two totally different genres. 

Hailing from the same state as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Avani says, “Since my dad is in a government service, I had the privilege of meeting Modiji several times. He also knows me well. When I debuted in Tamil with a film Naan Rajavaaga Pogiren (NRP), he sent me a congratulatory message wishing me the best.”

 

Though she played a simple city girl in NRP, going by the new-look posters featuring her, it looks like there’s glamour aplenty in Strawberry. “It is a horror thriller based on real life incidents that took place; definitely and is not another run-of-the-mill ghost story. Pa Vijay is a fantastic director and co-star. He was very supportive during the shoot. I thank him for giving me such a wonderful role,” she smiles. Avani also asserts that she plays a serious character in the flick, and glamour is there only in the songs. “I essay a science student Nilovina who does research on human souls. 

 

She is bold, confident and also a dominating personality,” she tells us. Contrary to Strawberry, Calendar Girls is a movie that hopes to unveil the dark truths behind the glamour industry, and Avani is one of the five lead actresses. “I was selected from among 1500 girls who were auditioned. It was an amazing feeling! It’s really gratifying to work in a film with a solid storyline and beautiful music. It was also a great learning experience working with Madhur Bhandarkarji. The character I play is totally different from my real-life personality. I’m thankful to Madhurji for placing trust in me and giving this superb role,” she she smiles.

 

Avani also reveals that Calendar Girls is a typical Madhur Bhandarkar style of film, which is grim and realistic. “It is about five girls belonging to different parts of India who arrive in Mumbai and get selected for a film. What happens from there on forms the crux of the plot,” she adds.

 

Sources say that it is Pakistani actress Veena Malik’s controversial life that has inspired Avani’s character of Nazneen in the film — true? “I can’t reveal anything at this point in time. All I can say is that films like CG will be an eye-opener for those who have no idea about what this glam world is all about,” she concludes.