Psychology is the favourite subject of Arthana Binu, who stole Malayali hearts with the movie Mudhugavu. The actor, who is currently pursuing a PG diploma in Counselling Psychology, says, “I searched for a course where psychology is an option and joined it out of my fondness for it.” She did her graduation in BA Journalism, Mass Communication and Video Production. “In that course, it was video production that caught my eye,” chuckles Arthana, who is slowly getting a foothold in Kollywood.
Having debuted in Kollywood with Samuthirakani’s Thondan, she was latest seen in Semma opposite G.V. Prakash. Now, two of her films — Kadaikutty Singam and Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu 2 — are set for release. In Pandiraj’s Kadaikutty Singam, she is paired with Karthi. “It is a multi-heroine project. There are three heroines. I am one among them,” says Arthana.
All her characters in Tamil have been village belles. “All these offers came before the release of my first Tamil movie. The first movie I signed officially was Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu 2, but it was the shooting of Semma that began first. The first one that released was Thondan. It was a complicated progression,” she smiles.
In Kadaikutty Singam, which is slated for release, too she plays a village character. But she doesn’t regret the similar roles. “Though all characters hail from the village, they have been different in nature. If the character in Thondan, a movie based on a real-life incident, was bold, I played an innocent village woman in Semma,” says Arthana. “My character in Kadaikutty Singam helped me evolve as an actor,” she adds. The movie also has popular artistes Sathyaraj and Bhanupriya in prominent roles. She had a great time working with the team and says, “I first met Karthi sir during the look test. I thought I would be nervous on the first day of shooting, but everything went well.” In Telugu, Kadaikutty Singam will be released as Chinna Babu
Though she has enjoyed playing the village belle, she says she wants to do something different in her next project. “Now, I want to do a modern character. I want to do diverse roles and prove my mettle,” says the actor. She doesn’t hide her urge to come back to Mollywood. “There have been offers after Mudhugavu. But I didn’t take them up as I didn’t find them as promising. I am waiting for a good story,” says the actor, who bears a resemblance to the yesteryear actor Kaveri. Tell her about it, she would giggle and say, “Many have told me that. I am happy as she is such a talented actress.”
