Sai Dhanshika has come a long way since playing Rajinikanth’s fi esty daughter in Kabali. Despite being extremely choosy — she’s only been in 9 fi lms so far, though she has been around for almost 10 years — Dhanshika now has an impressive line-up of fi lms, following the rousing success of Kabali. In this chat, the actress opens up about her career post-Kabali: You’ve been in the industry from 2009, but only done nine fi lms until Kabali came your way. Since then though, there has been a surge in your productivity. You have 5 fi lms ready for release.
I’ve always listened to scripts. But post the success of Kabali, which was an unforgettable experience, more opportunities have started coming my way. Compared to my years before Pa Ranjith’s fi lm, I fi nd that more fi lmmakers are approaching me with interesting scripts. Perhaps that’s why the increase in my fi lms. Tell us about your upcoming fi lms. Uru is a psychological thriller with a great script. It’s directed by Kaathadi director Kalyan’s assistant, Vicky Anand. The fi lm is shot in Kodaikanal and for one particular sequence, we shot at 4 degrees as it rained throughout the night in a pine forest surrounded by wild buffaloes. I’ve been told not to reveal any more than this (chuckles).
In Kaathadi, I play a cop. It’s a comedy fi lm and the director S Kalyan is a very humorous person. His approach to comedy is different. It is also a road fi lm. The fi rst half is full of fun and frolic, but midway, the tone changes to seriousness and sentiment. I’ve seen the fi lm and can with all confi dence tell you that it has come out very well. I’ve also tried my hand at comedy in Vizhithiru, where I play a simple, bubbly girl. I star alongside actors like Thambi Ramaiah sir and Vidharth for this one. There’s also Kaalakkoothu in which I play a Maduraibased college girl. We hear that your role in Kaalakkoothu is in complete contrast to your role in Kabali.
Yes, you could say that. I play a childhood friend of Kalaiyarasan’s character in the fi lm. The fi lm is based on true incidents that happened in Madurai. You’ve done three fi lms alongside actor Kalaiyarasan. By now, surely, you must be sharing a good rapport with him? That’s the best part. We don’t even talk to each other that much. Only after Kabali did we start talking to each other. Even recently, during the making of Kaalakkoothu, I found that while I was in my zone, he was in his. Despite being a leading actress, you have opted to play a mother in the upcoming Enga Amma Rani. Samuthirakani sir recommended the script to me. His assistant Bani is directing it. In fact, Bani hesitated to approach me with this role. But when I heard the script, I was overwhelmed by the climax; it was just so powerful. I just knew I had to do the fi lm. Enga Amma Rani is about a woman, who lives away from her husband, coping with the responsibility of raising two daughters in Malaysia.
The problems she faces and how she overcomes it is the story. On the evidence of Peranmai, Kabali or Kaalakkoothu, I guess it’s safe to say that you don’t have a problem being in multi-starrers. To be honest, it’s not a conscious move to opt for or stay away from multi-starrers. Whenever I listen to a script, if I like my character, I’ll go ahead with it. The role is, of course, important, but yes, I try not to be too selfi sh either (laughs). What’s the status of your fi lm with Samuthirakani? Kitna is on hold right now. Just as I was going to start work on it, Kabali came by. Samuthirakani sir was generous enough to let me go. I will defi nitely be doing the fi lm, as I know it’ll be one of my best. With a theme centred on nativity, the fi lm will talk about the very history of Tamilians.
You are also set to make your Malayalam debut. Yes, I’m working with Dulquer Salmaan in Solo, a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual that is being directed by Bejoy Nambiar. It’s just been two days since I started work on it; I doubt I can say any more. That’s a whole lot of fi lms you are part of. Are there anymore? (Laughs) I haven’t revealed this yet, but I’m also doing a Tamil-Telugu bilingual, which is being directed by Gautham Menon’s associate, Ramana. Stunt masters Anbariv and editor Praveen KL, who were part of Kabali, will be a part of this project too. We are almost halfway through the fi lm. I’m also doing a Kannada-Telugu bilingual called Udgarsha. The fi lm’s directed by Sunil Kumar Desai and stars Si 3 villain, Thakur Anoop Singh, in the lead role. I’m set for a busy year, and I’m quite happy for it.
Source: The New Indian Express