‘TT is a big ticket to prove myself’

So how did Bala, who is known to be choosy, pick her? (smiles) “One day, my friend Sangeetha Krish called and suggested we meet Bala sir. We met him at a recording studio where the RR for his earlier film Paradesi was going on. In the next two days, he screen-tested me, and then gave me an envelope with his name Bala written on it — telling me that he’d selected me for the role of a Karagattam dancer in Thaarai Thappattai. I went speechless — it was the best moment of my life,” she quips.

Varalaxmi is a trained dancer who has learnt Salsa and other dance forms professionally — was that what Bala was looking for? “Oh not really! I do agree that dance has become a part and parcel of my life. But the style of dance that I learnt, was different than what was required for the film. TT is not a normal movie with dance routines. Karagattam has a distinctive body language and unique facial expressions.”

The bubbly actress says she had vigorous training from real life Karagattam artistes for two months and rehearsed before each song sequences — “TT revolves around the different aspects of the lives of Karagattam troupes, the highs and lows they face, and more. I think it’s almost a forgotten art form. Bala sir aims to bring back life to their work.”

The Poda Podi girl also says that she was able to connect with the character Sooravali that she plays in the movie. “Sooravali is bold, fierce, and funny, but dynamic and loud. She is very outspoken. Except for that ‘loud’ nature, I could relate to most of the other things. I always speak my mind out in real life without being diplomatic. My co-lead, actor/director Sasikumar is Sannasi, the leader of the troupe who plays various instruments.”

On Bala, she promptly says, “I don’t think I have the status to talk about Bala sir. For me he is ‘God’. It’s a lifetime experience for me — he is a perfectionist who clearly knows what he wants, and it was a big learning curve to work as his AD (assistant director) as well in TT!” Varu candidly admits that she felt like going to school again and it was a learning process.

She has yet another project with Arun Vaidhyanathan in her kitty, laughs when asked about marriage—“Whose marriage? My real career is starting only now! I will not think of getting hitched anytime soon!” On her New Year plans she says, “Last year I celebrated on the sets of TT along with Karagattam dancers. This year, it will be a quiet one with friends at home.”