She hasn’t been spotted on the Tamil screen for over three years now, but it’s a tribute to Tamannaah Bhatia’s unwavering star power that her comeback in the Pongal release, Veeram, is being looked forward to by audiences as much as cheering their Thala Ajith on screen.
But perhaps it shouldn’t be such a surprise — after all the gorgeous 24-year-old who was part of blockbusters like Ayan, Padikathavan and Paiyaa at the box office, was well on her way to becoming the numero uno actress in the industry before her self-imposed sabbatical from K’town. Fans did get a lot of her in Telugu, and once her Bollywood debut, Himmatwala, opened, there was fear that we would never see good ol’ Tam dance to a Tamil koothu number again. But the charming Mumbaikar is now back, with a ‘creatively satisfying’ role in Veeram, she says. Is she now back to stay? DC finds out more.
Why the break?
It definitely wasn’t anything conscious. I’ve always maintained that the script is paramount to me and language is never the issue. A lot of my initial success was in Tamil, and I deeply cherish that. It was just that I wasn’t able to make enough time to work here, nor did I want to rush myself. My fans expect a lot from me and I didn’t want to sign on any film, just for the sake of it.
Veeram
I really like the character I play in the film — she’s someone who is very soft, traditional, a truly small-town character, whom Tamil audiences can easily identify with. When Siva approached me with the script, I was taken aback and I figured it would be ideal for me to return to Tamil cinema with it. I’d worked with Siva earlier in Siruthai, and it was great to be associated with him again. Veeram is an absolute commercial offering, wherein my character turns out to be really pivotal.
Bowled over by Thala
Wow, Ajith has completely changed my perception of how a movie actor should be from his real-life persona that I witnessed on set. He’s so incredibly grounded, and one can learn a lot from him.
Veeram is an apt title for a film that stars him, as he is so brave! That’s the reputation he has with everyone. It’s beautiful to see how he conducts himself and how he treats everyone around him equally — when he arrives for the shoot, he talks to the light boys, his staff or my staff with the same amount of respect as he would were he conversing with the director!
I even remember a particularly difficult situation during the making of the film, when I was caught in an awkward situation, and he took my side immediately. It shows he stands up for the people he works with. I’ve indeed enjoyed my experience of knowing him.
All work and no play
I have a busy year ahead. After Veeram, it will be the bilingual Baahubali in Tamil and Telugu. It is an epic and I have a strong, character-based part in it. In Bollywood, I have Humshakals with Saif Ali Khan, for which I just finished shooting in London, as well as It’s Entertainment with Akshay Kumar.
Working with actors like Ajay Devgn, Akshay and Saif has really motivated me to be on top of my game constantly. These are actors who have been successful for over two decades now, and it’s exciting to share screen space with them.
Balancing her life
It is indeed a challenge, shuttling between north and south, and working in different languages. The audiences are different, the filmmaking sensibilities change, the intensity of the films varies, and also what’s expected of you.
But I have no regrets indeed — I started out on my career when I was 14 (can you believe it’s been a decade in films for me?), and I really shouldn’t have any complaints, considering how it’s all shaped out. In spite of my Bollywood sojourn going well, I always want to continue working in the south — it’s where I started, and got all my recognition and love from my fans.
Career highs
My favourite films are Paiyya in Tamil, and 100% Love in Telugu. It was also great to work with both the brothers, Karthi and Suriya, and both the films did really well! They are both extremely different in their personalities and working styles, but it’s great to see they have both carved their own niches.
Also, Kalloori, early in my career, was a film in which I was really lauded for my acting. I think Baahubali will be another film where I can showcase my skills.
Personal life
I have a close group of friends with whom I really love to hang out. Instead of going to parties, I really prefer just staying in and having a good time. Whenever I’m not shooting, I do make it a point to spend time with my family. In fact, I just got back from a well-deserved vacation!
As far as my relationship status is concerned, I’m extremely single and quite happy with my life now. Of course, like any other girl, I want to find someone when the time is right. When it happens, you shall definitely know about it!
