Tamannaah: I am like clay that can be moulded

Tamannaah has created quite a sensation in Tamil films. For the last couple of years, the actress has got the opportunity to act with all top heroes in the industry. Not only has she done well, she has also started speaking Tamil.

Her latest film is Venghai, directed by Hari, whose last film Singham with Suriya and Anushaka Shetty was a huge hit.  

In this interview Tamannaah gives Radhika Rajamani the lowdown on Venghai, which releases this Thursday.

What interested you about Venghai?

It was the entire combination. I had not worked with Hari. And whatever I had heard of his professionalism and organisation, he turned out to be better. My personal experience of working with him was awesome. He believes in being prepared. His clarity is amazing. One can shut one's eyes and follow his directions. This is my second film opposite Dhanush, and I play a very different character.

What is your role?

I play a village girl. It's a subtle, underplayed character.

You have played a village girl before. How different is this role?

I haven't played a rural girl in Tamil films. In Telugu I acted in 100 % Love and the treatment was comic. In every film, the village girl is the same; the variation is in the performance. These days, village girls don't wear langa-odhni (pavada-davani, the half sari). They have started wearing salwar kameez. I wear mostly churidars throughout the film. I wear the langa-odhni for one song.

What's Venghai about?

You will have to wait and watch. It's a commercial film with an interesting plot. I would not say it's out-of-the-box. The character I play has been seen before. The treatment is what will make the film unique.

This is your second film with Dhanush. What's it like acting with him?

He is more like a friend. We had lots of fun while shooting the film. After finishing the shot, we would shoot each other giving some punchy dialogue on our phone cameras. We have acted together before so we had a certain level of understanding. Dhanush is chilled out, subtle and friendly and will not make anyone feel lonely.

Hari is one of the most successful directors. How was it working with him on Venghai?

Hari Sir works on every film like it is his first film. He has the same fear, the same butterflies. He is concerned about people working with him. He does everything to benefit the film. Even though he has proved himself, he doesn't take himself lightly. He doesn't sit on the sets; he is always on the run getting things going. He has an amazing direction department. When he takes decisions fast, they keep pace with him and work on his wavelength.

So if he changes things, is it difficult for you?

As an actor, I do not come with preconceived notions. I am like clay that can be moulded, or like a sponge that can absorb things. I do what the director wants me to do.

Devisriprasad composed the music for Venghai and 100 % Love. What do you like about his music?

I am a huge fan of Devi's. He is one of those who compose for the sheer love of music and not just for a living. He loves music and I respect him for that. There is soul to his music. It is consistent and of a particular standard. I like the songs Yenna Solla Pore and Kaalangathale from Vengai. They suit the mood of the film and people will like them.

Where has the film been shot?

Most of the film was shot in Karaikudi, and one song was filmed in Munnar and another in Malaysia.

You have done quite a few Tamil films. Have you started speaking the language?

I speak enough to communicate. I even do interviews in Tamil sometimes and follow it completely. I feel more at home in Chennai and Hyderabad than in Mumbai since I spend so much time in these two cities.

Will you dub in Tamil?

When the time is right I will, and when it is the director's call. I can memorise Tamil lines fast. I feel at home speaking the language.

Do you like working in the Tamil film industry? You have co-starred with Suriya, Karthi, Dhanush etc.

People here are extremely grounded. The bigger the star, the more grounded they are. I look up to that. It's a pleasure to work and learn. People are very nice. Everybody works towards making a good movie. The experience is smooth.