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The brand called Asin

Asin has arrived. Now she wants to pick and choose roles

SITTING PRETTY Asin Photo: S. Siva Saravanan

As the chirpy Kalpana, Asin Thottumkal lit up the screen in Ghajini. After acting with top heroes such as Suriya, Vijay (Sivakasi) and Vikram (Majaa), the actress has now teamed up with Ajit in Godfather. In Tollywood, she won over the audience with the hit Amma Naana O Tamil Ammayi (M Kumaran S/o Mahalakshmi in Tamil) and will be seen in Annavaram with Pawan Kalyan. Besides, she has her hands full with several endorsements.

Asin is riding the crest of a popularity wave, but wants to tread the path carefully. Ask her how it feels to become popular in a short span of time and she says, "Satisfying. It's a great feeling when your work is appreciated."

She is in no hurry to accept new projects. "I don't want to be typecast, but want to experiment with roles. Both my forthcoming movies are commercial entertainers where I playa bubbly girl," she says.

As for choosing films, "I look at projects as a whole. I listen to the script first. Then, I look at my character, the director and the production house, before taking a decision. I insist on a bound script and participate in story discussions."

She attributes her success to hard work, dedication and good luck. About inspiration for her roles, she says: "So far, I have played characters we get to meet in everyday life — teacher, NRI, doctor and student. I observe and take cues from life. But Kalpana in Ghajini is special. She gets to do so much in the movie — romance, be sentimental and provide the laughs. A. R. Murugadoss is a no-tension director who gives you the freedom to improvise."Working with leading stars helped improve her acting skills. "It was great. I not only enjoyed shooting but also learnt a lot. Suriya is hardworking and focuses on improvising; Ajit speaks out his mind; Vijay is cool and Vikram friendly."

About her knowledge of Tamil and Telugu, says this Malayali girl: "I didn't know a word of Tamil or Telugu when I first came here, but I learnt the languages. I think I have a flair for languages. Now, I do my own dubbing. The working styles in both the Tamil and Telugu film industries are the same. Professional and friendly, they encourage new talent."

Raring to go

On competition, she says that as long as it is healthy, everyone gets an opportunity to perform. "Right now, I'm enjoying my work and want to continue this way. It's my duty to keep improving my performance."

She started learning Bharatanatyam at three and modelled at the age of 14. Asin has to her credit more than 60 commercials, regional and national.

On striking a balance between acting and modelling, she says: "Both are equally challenging and demanding. Like my roles, I'm choosy about the products I endorse. A lot of thought goes into deciding the kind of product I represent."

What does Asin do in her free time? "I read a lot. I spend a lot of money on books. At airports, you will find me only in the bookstore."

And, her idea of a holiday? "Home."

So, what tops her list of priorities? "I want to give 100 per cent to my career and want to be identified as a talented performer. And, I have miles to go."

K.JESHI

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