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I could do a film like Queen: Sri Divya

Sri Divya opened her account this year with the rather successful Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae. The actress doesn’t really mind that she has had only one release this year. “If I do a film, my role should be remembered,” she says. 

Excerpts from a conversation with the actress:

With horror comedies having become a staple in Tamil cinema, were you hesitant about Sangili Bungili…?

I found it to be a different horror film; it was about the importance of a family. Personally, I’m not a big fan of horror films and I was relieved that I didn’t have to be the ghost (Laughs). The idea of a guy struggling to buy a house for his family is something quite relatable. When my family lived in a rented house, I saw my mother face a lot of problems. The script moved me.

You seem to be taking it rather slow with your films.

I don’t make compromises with my roles and that’s why all the films I’ve done are my favourites. I’m getting offers in both Telugu and Tamil but of late, the scripts in Telugu aren’t to my liking. Fans expect family subjects from me. That’s why I seem a bit choosy. But I want to do films in both Tamil and Telugu, this year. In fact, I’ve almost finalised a Telugu script. I’m also doing Atharva’s Othaikku Othai.
 
You generally play demure characters.

Well, what’s wrong? I think those roles suit my looks. Fans also seem to prefer me in such roles. But I try make sure that there are small changes to how I play each character. I watch my scenes carefully, spot mistakes and try to improvise.

You’ve also played your share of rural characters.

Fans loved me in both Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam and in Jeeva. So I don’t think people really think of me as a rural girl; they see me as a girl next door. So, I don’t really agree that only rural characters suit me. But yes, I did want to break out of being typecast. That’s why I did Kaashmora in which I played an urban girl.

Your role was rather small though?

(Smiles) A few films end up that way. What was narrated to me was different though. Also, a couple of my scenes got chopped off. This happens to every actor. But let me categorically state that I’m happy to have been a part of that film.

It didn’t do really well. How does the success of a film or the lack of it affect you?

In Telugu, my first film, Bus Stop, did really well, but then a few of my subsequent films flopped. I don’t think I was too affected. But in Tamil cinema, when after a string of hits, Bangalore Naatkal didn’t go well, I felt quite broken. Since then, I’ve tried to treat both hits and flops the same way.

While on Bangalore Naatkal, you dubbed for yourself, but it got mixed responses.

Some felt that my Telugu accent was obvious. Some others said it went really well with the character. But as always, I took the negative criticism more seriously (Laughs).

Comedy seems to come naturally to you.

I love to be a part of entertaining films. And I love romcoms too. While I enjoy these genres, I am at all times cautious about doing similar films. That’s why I did a serious film like Maveeran Kittu. Even in Marudhu, my character was rather serious. I wish I could do a film like Kahaani or Queen.

Your dance in Kattikida from Kaaki Sattai was widely appreciated. Since then though, you haven’t really done too much like it.

I am not getting those roles (Laughs). Even in Marudhu, we choreographed for a good dance number but due to date constraints, we couldn’t shoot it. I love an energetic number that I can dance to. My sister is a classical dancer and I learned a bit from her.
 
Is it true that you, unlike most actresses, insist on hearing the whole script.

Directors sometimes try to just explain my role but I’ve made it a habit to listen to the entire script even if it takes 2-3 hours. I like to get an idea of what’s happening in the story to other characters. Only then am I in a position to decide if I want to do the film.

Source: The New Indian Express