When it comes to performing roles, M’town girl Arthana Binu is the toast of Kollywood now. Though she started with a Telugu movie, Seethamma Andalu Ramayya Sitralu, her debut film, which was the social drama Thondan in Tamil, brought her to the limelight and today her kitty is full with four Tamil movies, all from leading filmmakers.
The young girl talks to DC in an exclusive as to how she landed up with the Karthi movie Kadai Kutty Singam in national award winning filmmaker Pandiraj’s direction, her meaty role in Sema with GV Prakash, and also her take on the casting couch.
“Actually, Sema was my first film in Tamil I signed although Thondan came out prior to that. The experiences I had on the sets learning Tamil was something new and joyous,” is how she begins the conversation.
Arthana plays a rural girl in the role of Magizhini in Sema, which has GV Prakash in the lead. While Pandiraj produces the film, besides writing the story and dialogues, it is directed by his protégé Vallikanth. “It is a fun filled entertainer and I play a girl who has just finished her studies and starts working. Set in Tiruchy, though a simple film, its narration and screenplay are awesome”, she reveals.
So what was Pandiraj’s reaction after watching the movie, we ask. For a moment she kept silent. A bit excited Arthana tells, “Pandiraj sir gave me the biggest gift after watching Sema. He didn’t speak a word. One of his assistants called me and asked me to reach the location of his next directorial venture Kadai Kutty Singam with Karthi sir, as he wanted to take a look-test to play a crucial role in KKS. I could not believe myself! And that’s how I landed the plum offer in KKS. What else can I ask for?”
Despite prodding, the up and coming actress was tight-lipped to the query whether she essays Karthi’s pair. “There are three more girls Sayeesha, Priya Bhavani Shankar and Anupama Parameshwaran in the movie. I am not allowed to speak anything about my role. All I can say is that it is a key character and thanks to Pandiraj sir for the faith he has in me.”
She adds quickly, “I am never apprehensive about the presence of many heroines in a film. For me, my character in the script is important and how it gels with the story. I give my 100 percent for that.”
Having finished her PG diploma in counselling psychology, Arthana says that cinema was her childhood passion. “I won’t say I came to films accidentally. I did my anchoring job and then modelled for many products and acted in small roles before getting a big screen launch. So, one needs a bit of luck and loads of hard work to reach a certain stage in films.”
In Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu 2, a sequel to the earlier blockbuster with the same name, she is teaming up with Vikranth. Its original director Suseendhran writes the story. “I am sure expectation for the movie is huge and comparisons with part 1 are bound to happen. It is a challenge I face and am happy being part of VKK 2.”
Having had roles only in rural entertainers, we ask Arthana if she is open to glamour ro;les and she says, “I want to act in modern characters and prove myself in city based stories also. As far as glamour or skin show goes, I am particular that any dress I wear should look good and comfortable on me. Then only, I can enjoy and do my work. It is a subjective matter.”
Though she claims she does not have a dream hero she would like to work with, Arthana admits that she wants to share screen space with Ajith. “I do not want to use the term ‘fan’. I like everyone in one-way or the other. But, three actors fascinated me so far. One of them is Ajith sir and even if I appear in one scene alongside of him, that’s enough for me. And the other two I am awe are Prakash Raj sir and Vikram sir (Smiles).”
Coming to the hot topic of a casting couch in the film industry, she says, “Not only in films, the problem exists in every field. Just because we are in showbiz, it gets overblown. But, no one has misbehaved with me so far and even if they do, I have the guts to say ‘no’ and still I will get the opportunities and work that I deserve”, is how she signs off!
