The making of a star
MEENAKSHI SARMA
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Although Sneha's debut in Malayalam did not create ripples, she is now making a splash with `Thuruppugulan.'
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Photo: M. Vedhan
SITTING PRETTY: Sneha is making a comeback to Malayalam after five years.
The stars are shining bright in Sneha's career. Her films in Malayalam and Telugu with Mammootty and Nagarjuna are running full house this season. While Johny Antony's `Thuruppugulan' had a fabulous opening with a record box office collection of Rs.1.09 crores, `Sri Ramadasu,' a musical biopic in Telugu, is getting splendid reviews.
"This year has been great for me. Wonderful things are happening. I never expected both my films to be such huge hits. I knew that they would turn out to be good films, but this response is amazing. God has been kind to me," says a jubilant Sneha, who is shooting in Chennai for a Telugu film with Balakrishna.
She made her debut with Anil Babu's `Engane Oru Nilapakshi' opposite Kunjacko Boban. Soon she became a star in Tamil and Telugu with films like `Parthiban Kanavu,' `Priyamaina Neeku,' `Vasool Raja MBBS,' `Sankranthi,' `Vaseegara' and `Parthale Paravasam.' With her girl-next-door looks and versatile performances, Sneha soon won the hearts of millions.
Comeback
Sneha is making a comeback to Malayalam after five years with `Thuruppugulan.'
"I have been wanting to do a project in Malayalam for quite sometime. I got a couple of offers as well, which I could not do on account of my schedules in Tamil and Telugu. So when Johnny Antony approached me for the role of Lakshmi, that too opposite Mamookka (Mammootty), I just could not resist. I thought the role was slightly different from the poised, homely kind of roles I had played till date. Shooting in Malayalam is a different experience altogether, says Sneha. Organised and timely work schedules, friendly co-artistes... Sneha is all praise for the industry.
"I was slightly apprehensive about doing some sequences in `Thuruppugulan,' where I had to do a bit of over acting. But it was Mamookka who gave me the confidence to do it. I remember him saying that I should get out of stereotyped roles and tune myself to do different types of characters. You seldom get this kind of valuable feedback from your colleagues. You don't have to worry about anything when you are working with big banners and super stars. Because they will carry the film on their own, you just have to perform your role, and the rest is taken care of..."
It was director Fazil who spotted the dusky Telugu girl in a show in Dubai. She has also worked with Malayalam director Shaji Kailas for his debut in Tamil `Jana.'
Her superb performance in `Thuruppugulan' has fetched her some interesting roles in Malayalam that are currently under discussion.
"I don't know if I have those typical Malayali looks, but I have always had people asking me if I am a Malayali. I think Kerala has a magical way of attracting people. Look at the kind of movies made here, will you get to see those genre of films in any other South Indian languages?'
Best role
Incidentally, Sneha was initially offered the role of a Malayali girl (which was later performed by Gopika) in Cheran's `Autograph.' But Sneha chose to play Divya, which she claims as her best role till date.
"I knew that Divya was not the heroine of the film, I also knew that there were no great song and dance sequences, but I knew Divya was special. Her subtle way of dealing with difficulties, her vision about life which she passes on to the hero, were unique. Cheran continued moulding this character even while shooting.
"In fact, the song `Ovvoru pookalume' was supposed to be picturised with the hero. But as the shooting progressed, Cheran suggested that my presence on stage would enhance the situation."
And it certainly did. The song took both the singer and the star to the top of the charts.
"I do not believe in the concept of a `star image.' A star does not have an image of his own. It is always with reference to the characters he or she plays. I do not think the image should prevent an artiste from doing off beat roles."
Sneha essays the role of a commercial sex worker in Selvaraghavan's much-awaited `Pudupettai.' This was a role many Tamil actresses had shied away from.
However, Sneha says, "It is a brilliantly crafted role. I had no hang-ups doing it and I think I have given my best. Now its up to the viewers to decide."
Sneha keeps her fingers crossed for this special movie. Looks like this is going to be yet another milestone in her career.
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