Actress Anjali is bouncing back with half a dozen flicks in her kitty. The young actress who is into her 11th year in the industry says that fortunately she has power-packed characters in her future offerings.
Speaking to DC from the sets of Nadodigal 2, Anjali shares her experiences in acting for the first time with a female director Kiruthiga Udhay in Kaali, why she never gets intimidated with the presence of two or more heroines in her films, on if she is part of the Rajinikanth-Karthik Subbaraj film, and about teaming up with national award winner Raam once again and her alleged linkups with Jai.
“I was very excited when Kiru ma’m approached me for her project. And it is for the first time in my career, I am joining hands with a woman director. She was very friendly and knows exactly what she wants. And my comfort level with her was very high,”
So, do you suggest or improvise on the sets? “Oh no! I believe in the director’s vision and go with what she/he says. I don’t want to act, I want to be as realistic as possible and give my hundred percent within the framework of the given role. I am a director’s artiste. And Kiru loved this style of mine and we gelled very well (smiles).”
When you point out that there are three more girls sharing screen space in Kaali, Anjali retorts — “So what? I am a secure person and so long as I am happy with the character that I chose and has enough clarity on that, I have no issues on more number of heroines in my film. And in Kaali, I play a doctor, the love interest of Vijay Antony sir. It’s a full-fledged role and I enjoyed every bit of it.” She adds that her co-star Vijay Antony comes across as a genuine person who is easy going on the sets. “He gives a lot of space for his co-actor in a scene. That way, my work was mad easy.”
She recalls the only time she was very nervous was with her debut Telugu film Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu. “Initially, I was tense since all the lead actors like Venkatesh sir, Mahesh Babu sir were very big stars. But, it was all for a few days only! After that, I came back to normalcy and followed my pattern of work.”
Talking about challenges involved while working with Vijay Sethupathi who would outscore anyone on screen with whom she is teaming up for the second time after Iraivi, she said, “When I did Iraivi with him, I was overawed with the way he was performing in a particular scene. I was bit worried. I controlled myself and as I said earlier, I wanted to do my best in the given character. There was no more fear! Vijay and I are good friends. I am proud to be part of his next film with director Arun. Given the fact that Arun’s heroines have a solid bearing in the script, it is one of the best roles I have landed up.”
The moment you talk about speculations running high of her possible inclusion in Rajinikanth – Karthik Subbaraj’s movie, the Angadi Theru actress starts giggling. “Even I am hearing. I don’t want to say anything about it.”
Nadodigal 2 with Sasikumar in Samuthirakani’s direction is her career best, Anjali proclaims. “I have a potential character which is very challenging. It is not the usual rural belle role. I am happy and love this phase of my career where filmmakers approach me with good scripts.” Finally, when we opened up the topic of her alleged closeness to actor Jai, which has been in the news for a long, for a moment Anjali goes into silent mode. All she could say later was, “We are good friends.”
