“I don’t mind doing glamour if the role demands” – Nayantara

Flush with the success of Chandramukhi, Nayantara met the press and shared her experiences with superstar and future plans. Excerpts from her interview:

How did Chandramukhi happen?
Vasu sir's wife saw my Malayalam film and recommended me. I was shooting for Ayya at that time. I could not believe that I was going to be cast as Rajni sir's heroine because he has been paired opposite the topmost heroines in the industry. They all (including Vasu sir) saw me only on the first day of the shooting.

What did Rajini advise you during shooting?
He is basically one who does not sit in his seat once his shot is over. He sees that everyone performs well. He comes and sees other artistes’ work and tells you openly if you do not perform up to the expectations. He teaches you how to do it in a better fashion.

Tell us about your first day's shooting experience.
When I went there, I didn't know anybody. I was very nervous but introduced myself. My first scene was a combination shot with superstar. I was little jittery not as an actress but as a person! But everyone made me very comfortable. Vasu sir, Prabhu sir, Ram Kumar sir... everybody was very caring and loving.

Were you thrilled while acting with Superstar?
Of course I was thrilled when I got the offer. Not while acting. When I act opposite to him, it is the character and not Nayantara. Like wise, I see only the character standing opposite me, not Sarath sir, not Rajini sir. If you see them as actors, your expressions will change.

Tell us your experiences with Rajinikanth.
It was a great enriching experience working with Rajini sir. You get to know lot of things from him as an actor and also as a person. He is very dedicated, punctual and unassuming, despite being a superstar.

You have a very small role compared to Jothika in Chandramukhi. Comment!
I knew the role what I was playing in the beginning itself. So the question of my role being reduced does not arise.

Why do you work only with senior artistes?
(Smiles)Because, initially I got offers from them only. What’s wrong in it? I enjoy working with senior artistes. And when an offer comes from superstar Rajini, no one sees him as a senior artiste. I think he is beyond all these.
As far as Ayya is concerned, I played a role which suited my age only. Both Sarath sir and Rajini are very comfortable to work with. Both are humble and soft. They helped me a lot throughout my shooting.

You seemed to shift tracks to glamour going by the promos of S.J.Suryah’s Kalvanin Kadhali!
Do you think so? Ayya and Chandramukhi had homely roles. In Kalvanin Kadhali, the character demands little bit of glamour. So it is the role which decides whether you have to be glamorous or homely. We cannot keep a boundary for glamour. It is a subjective matter. As far as I am concerned, if glamour is that much important for the character, I don’t mind doing it. But please, do not brand me as a glamour girl!

Tell us about your background.
My father was an Air Force officer. I did my schooling in Gujarat's Jamnagar school. We shifted to Kerala after my father retired. I did my college there. I have done BA in English Literature. I got my first film offer, when I was doing my Chartered Accountancy.

What is your priority- Tamil or Malayalam?
I'm simply looking for good roles. I don't mind which language they come from.

What are you future films in Tamil?
I am doing Kalvanin Kadhali with S.J.Suryah, Gajini with Surya and Vallavan with Simbhu.