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Meet Tamil cinema's number one heroine

Tamannaah Bhatia is on a roll.

The pretty actress is poised to take the number one spot in Tamil Nadu film industry. Post Paiyya there is frenzy among fans for this pretty young girl -- she has fan associations (something not very common for female actors). Recently fans even did a pala abhishekam on a huge cutout of hers.

Tamannaah is at home in both Tamil and Telugu films and is slowly improving her fluency over these two languages too. This summer too she is all set to capture hearts with her second summer release, Sura with Vijay in the lead.

Here's a tete-a-tete with the glamorous star who can also acts. Excerpt:

Was it the script and the role that made you sign Paiyya?

When I first heard the script from Linguswamy sir, I didn't realise when the narration began and when it ended. It was the first narration I heard fully in Tamil. It had a certain pace about it. The car journey bit was interesting too.

Linguswamy sir has a stylish way of shooting his films. Karthi was also there. The entire thing was exciting. I loved the script and knew it was good. So it was a combination of all these factors which made me sign the film.

So are you now fluent in Tamil to listen to narrations?

I am relatively much better. The fluency is getting better, I think.

'I look up to Suriya'

You mentioned that the role was something you could relate to. In what way?

It was in terms of the characterisation. It was not over the top but subtle.

How has the reaction to the film been? Are you happy?

I am very happy and satisfied with the end result. The film has shaped much better than at the narration level. It's an entertaining film and I knew that it's not going to be a different, path-breaking film. It's a fun film which can be enjoyed.

There was lot of excitement and expectation over this film. People messaged me even before the release wishing me all the best. People went with an expectation and it was fulfilled.

You are now working with Karthi again in a Tamil film...

Yes, I am working on a project which is the remake of the Telugu film Vikramarkudu.

Is the film titled? Is it being adapted to suit the Tamil audience?

It's still untitled. It's pretty much the same. Some of the scenes look better in Tamil. It's been a week since we started the shoot.

You have acted with both the brothers Suriya and Karthi. What's the difference between the two in terms of acting?

They are both different as actors. But both are dedicated. Suriya has spent many years in the industry. He does roles which have a lot of variation and which are physically demanding too. He played a college student and an old man in Vaaranam Aayiram. What he has achieved as an actor is amazing. I look up to him and I am awestruck by his work.

Karthi achieved with his first film Paruthiveeran what others would take 10 films to achieve. He had an image makeover in Paiyya. I noticed he lives with his character from beginning to end. He is passionate and I'm sure he will do amazing work in future.

'I don't feel like taking the numero uno tag'

How does it feel to be successful and perhaps the numero uno star in Tamil films?

Commercial success is not in your hands. It's a team effort and everything has to work out correctly. It is more the film maker's success than mine. It's a number game and I don't feel like taking the numero uno tag. I'm not courageous to take it too as I don't know how long it will last.

You said you are slowly getting fluent in Tamil. Would you like to dub one day?

I am learning it. I would want to dub very much. I want to be thorough and I am sure directors will let me dub.

Do you want to juggle Tamil and Telugu films?

It was always my intention to do both. I will continue to do both.

What are your future projects in Tamil?

Sura with Vijay in the lead will release soon. I am doing the Tamil remake of the Telugu film Kick titled Thillalangadi besides the remake of Vikramarkudu.

Sura is Vijay's 50th film and people are excited. I can sense the buzz. He is appreciated by the people and the style that he carries in front of the camera is amazing. His dance sequences are very challenging. I really enjoyed acting with him. I play a bubbly, sweet, girl in the film. In Thillalangadi I'm acting opposite Jayam Ravi and Shaam.

'As long as remakes are working and if people want to see them then I would do them'

You are doing remakes now. What is your take on them?

Remakes started with Kandein Kadhalai (Tamil remake of Jab We Met) for me. As long as remakes are working and if people want to see them then I would do them.

How do you act in remakes? Do you draw from the performances in the original?

I saw Jab We Met many times because in the Tamil version the similarity was apparent. In the Kick remake, I didn't take the support. It depends on the director and how he wants the performance.

You have two projects in Telugu now...

Yes, I'm doing Badrinath (with Allu Arjun) directed by V V Vinayak and another film with Naga Chaitanya directed by Sukumar.

I had signed movies with Geetha Arts and then I got busy working in Tamil. I'm quite kicked about them. Shooting for Badrinath will begin mid-May.

'Intelligent films are always welcome'

Would you like to do art-house cinema?

I've done films like Happy Days and Kaloori. Intelligent films are always welcome. It depends on the director and the character should excite me. I should be convinced about it.

You are one of the few heroines to have fan clubs...

It's so sweet that so many people like you and appreciate you. It's encouraging and feels good.

The fans seem to have done a pal abhishekam recently...

I don't encourage that. Pal abhishekam is done for Gods. I am like any other person but I do appreciate their love.