It was "Lesa Lesa" which brought Trisha, Miss Chennai, into the limelight. Spotted by director Priyadarshan, there was no looking back. Her diary dates are crowded and she is working round the clock to meet schedules. We catch up with her in the middle of "Unakkum Enakkum Something Something" shooting and the Fanta icon unwinds.
Do you believe in No. 1?
Not really. After all it keeps changing according to the hits and flops the films register. I'd rather prefer to be steady.
How would you define steady?
It is not difficult for a person to give a big hit. Sustaining that is the important thing. Jyotika, that way is always steady. I would call that being No.1. She is always at the top.
But why are you allowing big gaps between films?
That happens with every actor I guess, at some point of time. I have acted with all the heroes and now my focus is on roles, subjects. I don't think taking a break is a bad idea. And I'm working in two languages. I love juggling Telugu and Tamil. Some of your best films?
In Tamil, my first film. Then it is "Samy," "Ghilli" and "Ayudha Ezhuthu." In Telugu, I love all the films I have done, although "Varsham" is something special.
Do you believe in remakes? Some directors, Mani Ratnam for instance, don't like to duplicate work. You are doing the lead character in "Unakkum Enakkum Something Something," a Telugu repeat.
The perspective differs, from the artiste's point of view. The remake has followed close on the heels of "Nuvvasthanante Nevaddantana," directed by Prabhu Deva.
The advantage is that I'm well versed with the character and not much homework is involved. But then it offers little in terms of creativity.
While the Telugu hit was directed by Prabhu Deva, his debut actually, the Tamil version is handled by Raja, who has the experience of just two films. Your comment.
Well, if Prabhu Deva was making his debut, it was not evident. He was so sure of himself. And he is one of the best choreographers in the country. Raja is a thorough professional. His energy is amazing and he is very good at remakes.
Is there any change in your character?
Not really. But it has been nicely adapted to suit the Tamil taste. Of course my costume has been chosen with meticulous care. Director Raja has looked very keenly at the screenplay. Do you react to gossip and rumours?
Not anymore. I used to until a couple of years ago.
What about a peep into Bollywood?
Right now my plate is full. However, if some interesting project comes my way I will certainly consider it.
Are you inclined to direction or production?
I wonder if I'm creative enough to be a director. And I don't think I'll invest my hard earned money in production. Perhaps I'll open a restaurant. Or marry and settle down.
How do you go about planning your role?
First, I sit with my designer and work on my looks, costume and hairstyle. Then I find out from the director what exactly he expects. For "Varsham," the director wanted a child-woman. In "Pournami," Prabhu Deva's second film, I play a Bharatanatyam dancer. I went through basic lessons in steps and expressions. It would be foolish to sit around with the what-can-I-do look on the first day of shooting.
In whose direction would you wish to act?
Bala, Shankar, Selvaragavan... the list is long.
What are the films lined up?
``Bhima," directed by Lingusamy, with Vikram. I'm really excited about that. Two Telugu films, apart from Prabhu Deva's "Pournami," to be released on April 14. One is "Stalin," directed by Murugadass with Chiranjeevi, and the other is with Mahesh Babu, directed by Gunasekar.
Do you think you have rivals?
Competition, yes. Without that it will be very dull and there will be no motivation. But I don't consider anyone as my rival. In fact I have a lot of friends among the heroines. Directors always choose actors as demanded by the scripts. Of course, there is this feeling of insecurity, but that is inevitable in this industry. ....
