Both Trisha and Vijay Sethupathi welcome the Supreme Court verdict on opening up the Sabarimala shrine of Lord Ayyappa to women of all ages. “It’s a welcome change,” they said in unison about the landmark judgment passed by the top court lifting the ban on women between the ages of 10 and 50 and allowing universal entry now, thus establishing total gender equality.
Trisha has a very unusual take on the adultery law. She said she did not know enough about it to comment deeply on the subject but she did think it curious that while adultery was a penal offence, it did not seem to stop anyone from doing it.
Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha are coming together for a film titled 96 directed by Prem Kumar, which is about rekindling of school romance of 1996 batch. The duo spoke to DC on the movie bankrolled by Nandagopal, 96 has music by Govind Menon.
While Trisha quips that she studied in a girl’s convent and they had more of an anti-boys attitude and hence there was no question of a schoolgirl crush on anyone, Sethu admits that he had close to a dozen infatuation episodes during his schooldays. He also shares his moments playing the antagonist to Rajini in Petta.
The VTV actress speaks about 96, the recent SC order striking down the adultery law that used to define it as a penal offence for which a man could go to jail and she also reveals how finally her dream to essay Rajini’s romantic jodi has come true in Petta.
TRISHA
I am nervous: After the songs and trailers of 96 were released, the pre-release buzz is huge for 96 and I am really nervous. We have only a few pure romantic cult films like Alai Payudhe and Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya. The film 96 is also one such and I have never played a genre like this in my career. But I am passionate to work in love stories, and 96 was in a way a bit tough.
On Vijay Sethupathi: He is an effortless performer. But here in 96, the subject warrants actors to be organic. And hence, I was not apprehensive if he would outperform me at any point of time. We did rehearsals and got the shot okayed as Prem is one director who does not like retakes. And automatically, the magic happened (Smiles).
No school crush like in 96: All along, I studied in a girl’s convent and also in a women’s college. Till 19 years, we hated boys, I think it is very ‘convent thing’.
Dream come true acting with Rajini in Petta: I feel my career has come full circle acting as Rajini sir pair in Petta. More so, I am excited about the character arc in the film. We also did workshop and worked on the kind of looks as my portions commence from October 1 in Varanasi.
On the recent adultery law: I really don’t have a take on the adultery law. May be you can say I am diplomatic. Fine! I put it this way. Even when it was crime, it’s not like it stopped anybody!
VIJAY SETHUPATHI
What’s 96 all about: It denotes the get-together of plus 2 students of 96 batch, and I play a travel photographer in it. When I cross the school I studied in, I recall my memories.
Didn’t have the idea to transform to school kids: Just by coming down on your weight, I cannot become a schoolboy. There are actors who have done this with aplomb. Neither me nor Prem had this idea. Yes, the school portions are played by Aadithya (MS Bhaskar’s son) and Gowri, a new girl.
Working with senior like Nayan, Trisha and Tamannah in films: I think Trisha is definitely 7 to 8 years younger to me in real life (smiles). For that matter, I never felt senior or anything of that sort even while working with Tamannah or Nayanthara. What I noticed in all of them was their sincerity and dedication once in front of camera.
The secret to their sustaining power is because of this trait and they are equally brainy. They know how to conduct themselves on the sets too. And, you go with the flow of the events. If you respect your co-artiste, the scene will come out beautifully. I loved Ttrisha’s act in Ghilliand VTV.
I surrendered to Prem: Initially, I underestimated cinematographer turned filmmaker Prem. After listening to the full script, I surrendered fully to him.
Recalled my school days: Yes, of course! 96 rekindled my memories in school and I think I had several crushes at different stages (laughs loudly).
Rajini’s behaviour is infectious: Watching Rajini sir on screen for 40 years, just a mere look at him itself is a splendorous thing for me. I never even expected that I would share screen space with Rajini sir. But, it is a surreal experience in Petta where I play the antagonist. If you ask me why a baddie, my answer is that I can play villain to anybody so long it is an impactful role.
I was floored by Rajini sir’s calm and composed nature on the sets He would listen to the director carefully and he appears to takes ever film as though he is doing his first film. And if you observe him for a while, his mannerisms and style are so infectious that I tend to behave like him. So, I cautiously reduced noticing him.
No income tax raid: It was misconstrued. There was no income tax raid in my house. They called it a survey. My auditor has paid advance tax for three years and did not file the returns. That was the issue!
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