Aparna Balamurali, who is well known for her performance in Malayalam films like Maheshinte Pratikaram and Sunday Holiday calls Sudha Kongara's Soorarai Pottru one of her biggest releases ever. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the 25-year-old actress, who is paired opposite Suriya, reveals what makes this film special for her and why she doesn't care if she does not get a film after this. She also talks about working with a superstar and what changes she hopes to see in the film industry.
How did you land the role of Bommi in Soorarai Pottru?
It is one of my biggest releases ever. This came in a very surprising way, because I was doing a movie with GV Prakash sir and he started talking about Sudha ma’am and I am a huge fan of Sudha ma’am. I did not know that she was doing a movie like this. So, he connected us on call and we started talking. So, I went for the auditions to Chennai from Kerala to meet her. She asked me to wear a simple salwar and come. So that is how it all started. She auditioned me and after the first audition, I did not know what was going to happen. But as days passed she sent me another script to do and send a video. I sent the video, she selected me and that's how I landed this film.
On preparing for the role and perfecting the Madurai accent
It took me quite a while. It took a year to start shooting. During those times, I had a reading session, a workshop and again a reading session. Two-three days I would be called to Chennai for workshops and reading sessions. They gave me a lot of time and training. I had amazing people like Senthil sir, Virumandi sir training me. I think they wanted me to showcase my best and I also tried my level best .
How was it playing a real life character for the first time? Did you meet the real life Bommi? What other physical transformation did you have to go through?
Actually no. We did not mimic the person exactly the same way. It was just a story taken from Capt Gopinath sir's life and what role his wife played in his life and how important she was. That was what we were briefed about, especially me. I have never met Gopinath sir or his wife. Sudha ma’am had certain things in her mind that she wanted me to show in the character. I think those things molded Bommi. Age difference is there. She wanted me to lose weight. So, I did that and I worked on my language and slang.
How was it acting with Suriya? Were you nervous around him?
Actually the reading session helped not being nervous in front of him. We had reading sessions together. So, I had already met him before shooting. So I was not nervous to act with him but I didn't know how it would come out, these scenes whatever you have seen, the romance, the chemistry. I didn't know how it would be. Somehow, it just came out like that , it came beautifully, it was good on screen. So, the whole team was happy with the chemistry between me and Suriya . It just came like that, mainly because of him, he didn't make me feel like he is a superstar. That made it very easy.
What is the one thing that you would take from Suriya as a learning?
I think it is the way he was on the set. Like you said, everybody used to ask me how it was working with him. I felt like it was normal. It's like how you work with other people. Because that's how he is. People see it as I am working with a superstar who has like I don't know many fans he has. He was a very normal person. He used to sit with us after all the shots and we used to talk. It is normal to act with him and he is a very nice person. And that is how it is to act with him. I think I will take that from him. I'll learn that from him.
Did working with Sudha Kongara, who is said to be very detail oriented, enhance your craft?
Definitely yes. As an actor it has given me a lot of confidence. What I feel is that one character like this is enough. I don't even care if I don't get another movie. Bommi has given me a lot to show on screen. It will inspire a lot of people and as an actor I have got an opportunity to do a lot in this movie. Starting from the homeworks to the shooting process, as an actor I feel Sudha ma’am has taken the best out of me. She knew what she wanted. So, I was watching other interviews as I was not there. So Suriya sir was telling that Sudha has put her soul inside Aparna. Actually, it was like that. Sudha ma’am gave me a lot of personal experience, so I could relate to the character. So, that made me close to the person itself. So, it was very easy to work with her and I wanted to give her the best. That's how it worked.
What is your process of choosing a script, especially after having played memorable and strong roles in Maheshinte Pratikaram and Sunday Holiday?
So, the main problem after Mahestinte Prathikaram and Sunday Holiday was that everybody said that she comes with the title of 'she is a very bold person'. So, that was something I did not want to hear after one point because I don't want the character to necessarily be bold. It has to just have an impact on the audience. I have to influence someone or I have to make someone feel that this character, I know this person. I don't want people to forget me just after a movie . I was more concentrating on that, but then whatever I got all these bold characters even in Thrissivaperoor Kliptham, I enjoyed every character of mine.
Are there more opportunities and variety for female actors today?
Thankfully, I got pretty good films in Malayalam. Usually, what we see is you do one or two movies and every other movie casts a new person. For me, I experienced quite good characters and stories in Malayalam. But the problem is that if the female is a little bold or stands out all the mainstream actors won’t turn up to act. Such things I have listened and I have heard and I have seen. So that is something I really want us to break here in the industry. With a movie like Soorarai Pottru , I think that is the main difference, because everytime Suriya sir had a scene I had an equally important scene, equally important emotion, dialogue and everything. I think more movies like this should come. Necessarily not a female centric but equal opportunities for both. That is what I think we are lacking. But, there are a lot of changes happening in a really good way. I think we are seeing a lot of beautiful changes which are leading to this.
The announcement of Soorarai Pottru heading for OTT release had fans disappointed. What was your reaction?
I was really sad. For me it would have been a huge release and I missed it . But I couldn't wait anymore because it has been one year and a few months since the shoot got over. I wanted people to watch Soorarai Pottru. I was happy about the fact that it was coming out anyway.
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