This star is all sparkle
S. SHIVA KUMAR
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Tara has been around in the film industry for 19 years, but didn't get her due till now. This actor, who now has a national award in her kitty, admits bad career decisions could have been partly responsible for the drought
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SELF-MADE Tara: `I never had what in film parlance is called godfather' PHOTO: V. SREENIVASA MURTHY
She has the looks and the talent, but strangely stardom has eluded her. Then again she probably wouldn't have lasted a quarter of the 19 long years she had got typecast as a bimbo.
Her abode, Chiguru is unobtrusive but elegantly designed. The office has a showcase with awards jostling for space. They will pale when the country's top prize finds pride of place. A polite aide serves you coffee before Tara, who has won the Best Actress award for her performance in Girish Kasaravalli's film Haseena, breezes in with a broad smile. You realise why she's so popular with the fourth estate. She knows our photographer and floors him with the familiarity she exudes. Tara is in a tearing hurry, but doesn't fail to ask us to stay for breakfast. Excerpts of an interview with the vibrant actress.
On the day you got the award some websites announced that Aishwarya Rai had won the award.
That's right. That's what I heard too.
How did you react?
I was happy that my film had won the award. It was only in the afternoon that I got to know I had won. I jumped up in joy. I expected this award for a couple of my previous performances. This time I think my award is a bonus.
Did you just plan to just make a good film or did you feel your talent had not been exploited and you had to produce a film?
I have portrayed in some good and varied characters. I did not produce this film to project my talent. I always dreamt of working with Girish Kasarvalli. I was determined after Jayamala and Soundarya worked with him.
Girish's films may win awards but there's a feeling that audiences shy away from such films.
True, that feeling does exist but I plan to change all that. I am taking this up as a challenge and releasing this film.
But no distributor from Gandhinagar is going to grab this film.
I am going to release the film with a few like-minded friends.
You have been in the industry for a long time. Why do you think your career, as a heroine never took off?
It's my 19th year in the industry. In a way it's good. I felt I wouldn't have survived all these years as a heroine. I used to feel bad initially. I have done a few films as a heroine too. I have done many films in the lead role not necessarily as a heroine. Now I feel it was all for the good.
You shifted to Chennai very early in your career.
Well, they introduced me as a heroine. They even changed my name from Anuradha to Tara.
Don't you think it was too early in your career to be playing Kamal's sister in Nayakan?
That's true. I never got the right advice. I never had what in filmi parlance is called `godfather'. There was a total lack of direction. I didn't know what to accept and what to reject. I just grabbed whatever was offered irrespective of the character. That was a mistake.
Do you think a particular image would have helped you?
Not at all. I think the lack of it helped me. That is the reason I was offered comic characters as well as that of a vamp. I also got to do a lot of emotional stuff. This would have not been possible if I had an image. It's easy to get typecast.
You entered the industry just after the exit of women like Aarthi and Kalpana who played author-backed roles. Heroes had started dominating and there was no director like Puttanna.
You're right in a way. Bhavya was the only newcomer when I entered and heroes like Vishnuvardhan and Ambarish were elder and for the youngsters I was a little old. Ramesh, Shivanna and I entered at the same time. I think the present day newcomers are very lucky.
You have been in the industry for a long time and seen ups and downs. What do you feel about the film industry?
(With a wry smile) I really don't know. I don't depend on or care about what others say. I'm not bothered about adverse comments nor do I expect plaudits. The best thing about my career has been the press. They have criticised me, loved me and pampered me. They are so happy when I win awards. I have never gone out of my way to woo them but they have been an integral part of my life. I don't expect anything from anybody. I don't want to harm anyone and I expect the same.
There have always been long delays in your life, even your meeting with Venu culminating in marriage.
(Laughs) True. It took 18 years for me to get married to Venu. God is giving me the good things late, but he's giving me the best.
You'll be spending the next few months on the festival circuit.
I have already entered it in the Indian panorama section. I am also planning another film.
How did this film happen? Did you wake up one day and decide to produce a film?
No, it took more than a year to select the subject. I first approached Girish and then we started the hunt for a suitable subject.
What made you choose Haseena?
There are so many varied dimensions to her character. It had a lot of scope for my talent too. I also knew that it would be a good film. There were a few problems like the Bajrang Dal smashing our sets but they helped us later. It was a mistake and we had to stop shooting for a couple of days. But it's been worth it. The role of a first time producer was difficult. I was only used to taking money. Here I had to dole out cash.
How has the Kannada film industry reacted to your award?
All my senior colleagues called to congratulate me. I hope to meet all of them shortly.
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