You have been doing the rounds of colleges to promote Akira. What kind of response have you been getting from the students? It’s been really positive. The students get especially excited when they watch me throw those kicks and punches on screen! It’s something entirely new for them, so they’ve responded very well. Is it a strategic decision to promote the film mainly across colleges? Well, the sooner they learn to protect themselves, the better. I believe everyone should be able to take care of themselves without having to depend on anyone else. What better way than this, to spread the message to the youth? Can you tell us how exactly Akirahappened? And, since this film demands some hardcore action, how did you react when AR Murugadoss offered you the film? I had worked with Murugadoss in Holiday and after we wrapped that film, he discussed the idea of making this film with me and I was very excited. It’s a great role and I got to try my hand at doing action in a film, just like all my heroes have been doing so far! I truly appreciate Murugadoss’ style of directing. He knows exactly what he wants from his characters and his stories are gripping. I enjoy watching his films and working in them too. From 2010 to 2016 is six years and you’ve done about 14 films. How much do you think you have grown as a performer? A lot, I think. Each film has been a learning experience and with each different director, I learn new things every day. How did you feel before Dabangg released and how do you feel now that Akira is about to release, given that it’s your first solo, no-hero film? I am still as excited and anxious as I was during my first film. Each film holds a special place in my heart, it’s like attempting an exam every semester at school and it’s still important for to you to pass every exam with flying colours. Every film requires the same amount of effort. A large number of people come together to work on a film, from pre-production to production to post-production, several technicians work together to make a film look good. They put in several hours of hard work and very few get credit, so the onus is on us actors and the main crew’s shoulders to make sure their work along with ours gets due appreciation. Plus, yvou spend eight to nine months on a film, so you are bound to get attached to it. One can only hope for the best for the film.
Cont'd... In India, we have rarely seen actresses doing action-packed roles. Do you think things are changing? Yes, it is. Everyone is trying to raise the bar and try their hand at different kinds of roles, action being one of them, and it’s a great sign. I’m glad the change is coming about. I, for one, definitely enjoy doing action. Was there any particular training you had to take for the action you did in Akira? Yes, I trained for 5-6 months in Mixed Martial Arts before and during the shoot. It was strenuous and physically very demanding. You started your career with Dabangg, after which you did films likeSon Of Sardaarand Rowdy Rathore, which were commercial, masala entertainers. But your upcoming movies don’t seem to be of the same genre, whether Force 2, Akira or Noor. Are you looking for character-oriented roles now? There was no strategic decision when signing these films. I don’t decide which films to sign by applying a formula or following a strategy. I have a simple method – if at the time of narration, I feel that I would enjoy playing the character and as a member of the audience, I would enjoy watching this film in the theatre, then I agree to do a film. My choices are changing over time. Earlier, I enjoyed masala films and comedy mixed with action, whereas now I’m opening up to other genres. As an actor, I also want to try new things. At the moment, I’m enjoying all the projects I am working on. It’s a lot of fun to play these character-oriented roles. In films like that, the script is the only hero and we are mere actors. I’m enjoying this experience. Your next film, Force 2, is also an action film. Just how much action will we see you doing in it? It was a coincidence but getting the opportunity to play a RAW agent excited me and I just had to say ‘yes’. There is quite a lot of action in that as well but it’s very different from the style shown in Akira. Whether Prabhudheva or AR Murugadoss, most directors have always cast you in more than one film. Can we say that you are a director’s actor? Yes, you can, I guess they like my style of working. They know I’m absolutely professional and easy to work with. I don’t argue or question the director’s vision unless I absolutely have to, so it’s easier for them to have me enact a character they have in mind.
Cont'd.... You started with blockbuster films but in the past few years, a few of your films didn’t do all that well. What do you have to say to that and what are the learnings for you? I look at it positively. In fact, I don’t evaluate my films by their box-office success; I evaluate them by audience feedback. There are some films which didn’t do well but there are also a few films which didn’t get their due. However, I take responsibility for all my choices and each of my films has contributed to my journey as an actress. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from some wonderful people in the industry, hence I have no regrets
