Cine Interviews
Tamanna, the next big thing!

Feb 22, 2008, 15:05

The going seems to be impressively good for model/actress Tamanna Bhatia, who with hits like ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Kalloori’ seems to be savoring every bit of her success. The actress is all gung-ho about her next opposite Kollywood superstar SJ Suryah. Also in queue are some lucrative Tollywood ventures. With a going as good as this, Tamanna is sure to be the next big thing in tinsel town. In this interview we catch up with the star and let her do the talking. Over to Tamanna.

Excerpts from an Interview:

You have been widely applauded for your brilliant takes in both Happy Days and Kalloori. What’s your take on that?

Due credit should be given to my directors Sekhar Kammula and Balaji Sakthivel for extracting out the best in me. It’s been an amazing experience to team up with such talented directors. I’ve picked up a lot from them which I’m sure will help me in my journey ahead.

Both Happy Days and Kalloori are campus-based flicks. How different was it being a part of both these films?

The only similarity between these two flicks is that they are set in campus. Other than that, they are widely different. Whereas, Happy Days was more of an urbanized flick, Kalloori on the other hand takes up rural ambience as its milieu.

 
Happy Days is a cheerful flick that spins around a set of eight who by the end of the story become couples. Kallori on the other hand is a tale of two souls who love each other but never come around to confess it.

Also the director’s approach to the theme was extremely different. While Sekhar sir was positive in his approach, Balaji sir mostly endeavored to can the reality.

How unlike were your characters in both the film?

Sekhar Kammula gave me a pen picture of Madhu before we started off with the film. That was a kind of meter set for the character. It was left to me to draw life in to the character. I tried my best to bring the role alive with various affectations and nuances later.

As for Kalloori, Balaji sir already knew what he wanted from me. He had done his research on my character well. He enacted out the scenes for me and all that I had to do was ape his act in front of the camera.

Share with us the experience of working with first timers like Varun Sandesh (Happy Days) and Akhil (Kalloori)?

It was fun to work with Varun. Since he spoke English and so did the rest of the cast, it became lot’s more easier to connect. And the bonding got well conveyed on screen later.

 
So far Kallori is concerned, I did not have the scope to gel with Akhil since he didn’t know English. Also most of our scenes were shot separately. So we failed to connect.

Both the flick presented you in a non-glamorous avatar. Your say…

Well, Sekhar sir wanted a complete casual, non-dramatic look for me. He didn’t even allow me to wear contact lenses during the shoot. My clothes were very simple, like the ones the college going girls sport.

Balaji sir uses reflectors while shooting and hence it’s difficult to put on make up under such situations. As the film is set seven years back, I am shown wearing light hued loose fitting salwars. The look is designed keeping the tempo of the story in mind.

I think my looks in both these films further helped to give it a realistic twist.

You are hailed as the new big thing in the industry. How do you deal with it?

I’m glad that people have so much of good things to say about me. There are certain films that can take you to stardom at one shot. I’m glad to have gained stardom with both Happy Days and Kalloori. God has really been kind to me. I forever cherished the dream of becoming an actor and I’m happy that finally I’ve had my dream come true.

Tell us about your forthcoming biggie opposite Surya.

 
I’m one huge fan of Surya and I’m really looking forward to star with him. Anand sir is technically sound man and I’m sure that he will prove his worth as a director too. I’m overwhelmed to be a big project as this. It’s always an actor’s dream to land in such big projects and I’m delighted to have found one.

What are the other movies in the pipeline?

Well, apart from Surya’s film, I’m doing another Kollywood project opposite newcomer Siddharth. This film will be directed by Gandhi Krishna while Oscar Films will produce it.

Then there are three more Tollywood films. I’m doing a comedy with Sushant. Then there is another with Allu Arjun. I’m also a part of MS Raju’s next production venture.