The beauty of comic timing
S. SHIVA KUMAR
|
Urvashi, who came reluctantly into films, finally found herself in comic roles. This incredible actor, who speaks fluent Kannada, is nervous of facing a crowd even after several hundred films
|
LATE AWAKENING Urvashi: `I was sleep walking for nearly 100 films'
Most film stars lose touch with reality on their way up, professionally. They build an invisible wall of supposed superiority. The smile never reaches the eyes and the handshake is cold and perfunctory. Arrogance and a coterie of sycophants are used as a defence mechanism.
Then there are a few like Urvashi who was a superstar in her own right, on her own terms. The cult classic Micheal Madana Kamarajan in which she had to match wits with comic geniuses like Kamalhassan and Nagesh showed us that she was a rare talent. She has never looked back. Today she's in that slightly slippery phase between playing heroine and character roles but when the role demands a performer of substance makers don't look beyond Urvashi.
There's genuine warmth when actor/director Ramesh does the formal introduction. "You should have come when Kamalji was here. We improvised like crazy. The tough part will be when we are dubbing," she says. "She's a delight to work with," says an awestruck Ramesh.
More than two decades ago when I visited the sets of a Tamil film starring Mohan and you. You had this expression, which said, "What am I doing here?" Were you forced to take up acting?
You're absolutely right. Though my parents and siblings are actors I always felt I was not fit for this job. It came to a stage when I had to act. It was definitely not by choice.
You were sleepwalking during the shots that day.
Well, I did that for nearly 100 films. I was hoping that if I were indifferent they would chuck me out. I could not reject films because my whole family was in the industry and depended on it. I used to literally pray for my ouster. It is only when my tryst with Malayalam cinema began that I began to look at acting with some kind of seriousness. Just watching actors of the caliber of Tilakan, Nedumudi Venu and Mohanlal was fascinating. Even now, I am nervous of facing a crowd and still wonder how I managed it. Cinema has changed me.
So how did you get your first offer?
My sister was supposed to do the role, but since she was extremely busy she could not dole out dates at a stretch. I was about to write my ninth standard final exams. The manager from AVM studios spotted me on my sister's sets and wanted me for the film. Bhagyaraj approved and that's how I landed Mundhanai Mudichchu.
When did the actual decision-making happen? `Since I'm being paid, I might as well do it kind' of a decision?
There was a celebration to mark the 75days of Mundhanai Mudichchu in Kanchipuram. The way the crowd received me moved me to tears. In no other profession do people give so much of love without expecting anything in return. Name one profession where they give you money in advance, transportation, food and also popularity. Of course, how long you last will depend on your talent. Now this profession is God to me.
In Tamil, the turning point for you was Micheal Madana Kamarajan.
My first film, Mundhanai Mudichu gave me the kind of fame that normally takes 50 films to achieve. I did Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam films. Micheal... marked my second coming to Tamil cinema.
Comedy is very difficult. How did Kamal choose you?
There have been shades of comedy in most of my films. There was an undercurrent of humour in most of my Malayalam films. In Tamil, Sridevi is the only heroine who's done comedy. An actress with an image cannot do comedy. You have to be totally unselfconscious. Kamal had more confidence in me than I had in myself.
Sense of timing is the most important thing in comedy, which again depends on your co-stars. Were you nervous acting with Kamal and Nagesh?
I've never been intimidated by my co-stars however big. I'm worried about what I have to do and how to do it well. I enjoy working with actors who are more talented than me. It's difficult when you have to act with co-stars who have no sense of timing. You start worrying about their performance.
You did get typecast after that film.
That's a sad thing about Tamil cinema. I did do a film about dowry harassment but people just didn't want me in such roles.
Probably Malayalam cinema gave you more job satisfaction.
Not really. In an industry ruled by men, without resorting to exposing or double entendre I did successful heroine oriented films in Tamil such as Maya Bazaar. Characters were written for me like in Vanaja Girija.
Let's talk about your Kannada films.
My first film was with the Kannada's biggest star, Rajkumar. It was an unforgettable experience. There was one scene where I had to say "Mucho bai." I didn't ask for the meaning. I thought it was a name like Khader Bhai. So I mouthed the dialogue like I was calling someone. It took eight takes for Rajkumar to realise that I hadn't figured out its meaning. I was young and even now I laugh when I recall the incident. Rajkumar is the only hero who sits on the ground and eats with the entire crew. He's unique. It was a humbling experience because I hate people with airs. I became attached to Kannada films. I tried my best to accommodate Kannada films. Now I can speak the language and can understand any accent.
The career-span of a heroine is short. Do you have this regret that your talent has not been fully utilised?
I do regret the fact that heroines over 30 years of age do not get meaty roles like in Hollywood. But I'll wait for good roles. I did a role in Malayalam recently. After I got married this is the first film with a woman-centric theme and the film, Achchuvinde Amma was a super hit. The film was devoid of a hero. I'm not conscious about beauty or age. I will do roles that befit my age. It's like life where you move from being a student to wife to mother.
Actresses in Kannada have had to produce their own films to showcase their talent.
I've not had that problem because only when there's a good role do they think of me. I do plan to direct though. I'm working on the script. It will be a commercial film and I will act only if there is a good role.
You're doing the role in Rama Shama Bhama that your sister did in Tamil. You're also working in Kannada after a long time and with Kamal.
It's two years since I did a Kannada film. It's always a great experience to work with Kamalji. You'll have to write a separate article if I have to talk about him. I have great, great respect for him. Can anybody love cinema more than Kamala Haasan?
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
