Picture of confidence
S. R. ASHOK KUMAR
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Slowly but surely, Bhavvana is making her presence felt in Tamil films.
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`GLAMOUR NOT MY CUP OF TEA:' Bhavvana.
Three out of the four Tamil films that have her as heroine have been hits and she has signed to act opposite leading heroes. The owner of this enviable record is young and sparkling Bhavvana, with more than 14 films (both in Tamil and Malayalam) under her belt. Cool and confident, she talks about her experience and future plans. Excerpts from the interview:
How did you get into films?
I was in class XI when a family friend took me to Malayalam director Kamal, who was looking for a dark complexioned girl for the lead character in `Nammal.'
Initially he did not want me for the role as I'm not dark. But my talkative nature helped. As I kept chatting with him, he soon changed his mind. After a few days of shooting I wanted to quit, as I didn't quite like the slum girl's part. But my parents coaxed me to continue and the film turned out to be a hit.
It was only after a couple of movies that I began to take acting seriously.
How were the first days of shooting ?
`Nammal's' shooting was held at Merlin International Hotel (Thrissur). At the back of the hotel, but within its premises, they had constructed a slum. So I played this slum girl in the hotel's backyard.
For the shooting of my first Tamil film, `Chithiram Pesuthadi,' the location was an engineering college in Chennai.
As a child, were you interested in movies?
Yes. I always wanted to be a film star, but never thought that my dream would come true. And I'm happy that I have had the chance to do serious roles too.
Fourteen films, you are yet to make waves. Why?
Well, I don't know whether I've made it big or not. But I did get good parts — first in `Chithiram Pesuthadi' and then in `Deepavali,' a success. Good roles do not necessarily mean box-office hits. The industry has a lot of talented persons, but not all get the opportunity to prove themselves.
I feel everything depends on luck, blessings, support and talent. But not necessarily in that order.
What about Hindi films? .
It is much more glamour-oriented. At first I thought the same about the Tamil industry, but people here have accepted me as I am. Glamorous roles do not suit me. I am happy doing what I like.
What was it like working with director Bala in `Nan Kadavul'?
I have worked with him only a few days, but I like the experience. Before I began shooting with him, people told me that he would shout if I did not deliver. But the classroom atmosphere — everyone was silent — appealed to me. I usually wrote my dialogue in English and then memorised it. But on his sets I could not do that as he used to change the lines often. He never got angry even if I made mistakes.
In fact he was considerate. The contact lens that I have to wear for the film irritates my eyes. Bala advised me to rest my eyes and use the lens only during a shot. I am actually waiting for his next schedule to begin.
Nowadays, heroes do one film at a time, while heroines do two or more simultaneously. Why?
In a Tamil film, the hero is present from the first to the last frame. The burden of the film rests on him and not the heroine. I did `Deivanamathil,' (Malayalam) which was a heroine-oriented film, and even got an award for it. But it was not a box-office success. The audience rarely accepts heroine-oriented films.
What is the best praise you have received till now?
When `Chithiram Pesuthadi' was released I got a call from K. Balachander. He praised my performance and I was thrilled. That really boosted my confidence.
Another happy incident was that I started to act in Tamil films on June 6 (2005), which happens to be my birthday.
After Chithiram Pesuthadi' was released (on February 10, 2006), that same year on June 6, I got the 100th day shield. Now that `Deepavali' (released on February 9) is also a hit, I am waiting to get my shield this year too. Will it be again on June 6? I hope so.
What are your forthcoming ventures in Tamil?
`Koodal Nagar' (Bharath), `Arya' (Madhavan), `Rameswaram' (Jeeva), `Nan Kadavul' (Arya) and `Vazhthukkal' (Madhavan). Apart from `Chithiram Pesuthadi' and `Deepavali,' I have also done `Kizhakku Kadarkarai Salai,' and `Veyil.'
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