I defended myself from drunkards using Silambam: Dhanshika

Dhanshika is back with yet another interesting movie, Vizhithiru (Stay Awake), where she essays the role of  a Chennai slum girl. Directed by Meera Kathiravan, the film has Vidarth, Krishna, Venkat Prabhu and T Rajhendherr in the lead roles.
Dhanshika, who plays an ardent fan of TR in the film, talks to DC about her tryst with comedy, action sequences, and why women should learn self-defence in an exclusive.

“The story of Vizhithiru happens over the course of one night, and follows the pattern of multiple storylines converging in the climax. I play a typical slum girl, Saroja, and I speak local Chennai slang — just the contrast of what I did in Kabali!Apart from taking the director’s inputs, I also went to Nochi Kuppam and Dooming Kuppam and observed people there to get my diction right,” Dhanshika tells us with a smile.

The leggy actress says that she is trying out comedy for the first time — “My character has a dual dimension to it. People say comedy is a serious business, and it’s true. The timing is very important and it was very demanding. But I guess I pulled it off without much hassle!”

Talking about TR with whom she shares screen space, she says, “I play a fan of TR and shook my leg for one of the ‘dream song sequences’ with him. I’d heard that TR sir has a policy of not touching his leading ladies even during the romantic scenes... and I witnessed it for myself during the shoot, where he did not touch even any of the women dancers.”

Yet nother thing which amazed her was the veteran’s high-energy levels, Dhanshika says — “The entire shoot happened during night time. All of us, at one time or the other, would get tired. But you could see a hyperactive TR sir still being active!”

Switching gears, she reacts to the increasing number of sexual assault cases on women these days. “It is very disgusting. Even posting such pictures on social media is a disturbing trend. I think punishments should be very severe — similar to what they do in Arab countries — so that the fear factor can reduce such crimes.”

Recalling an incident when she tackled a set of goons while shooting, she elaborates, “While we were shooting for a film Kaathadi at Vagamon in Kerala, a group of drunkards came to the spot and started misbehaving with everyone.

Thanks to the martial art of Silamabam, which I had learnt from Pandian master for Peraanmai, I did not get frightened and managed to defend myself and the others.” (smiles)

The dusky actress concludes insisting that every girl should learn self-defence techniques, and carry protective items with them to stay safe at all times.