ACTRESS SRUSHTI DANGE INTERVIEW

I am a Maharashtrian from Mumbai. I came into the Tamil film industry through a commercial I did when I was in school. Director Mysskin was going through my portfolio and called me. I was having my 12^th exams then and I was preparing for the same. Anyways, I came to Chennai and after brief conversations, I went back. Post my exam, I came back to Chennai and did his film Yudham Sei.

I am a theatre artist and have done plays. I was keen to enter movies but did not expect that it will happen through Tamil films. That said, I am here, I really like it and want to stay here.  

After Yudham Sei, it took two to two and a half years for Megha to happen. My father was open to any kind of profession that I may pursue but was keen that I finish my basic studies. After I completed my studies, whatever movies came my way, I signed it. Megha happened while I was doing my graduation. I used to travel back and forth then. We had rehearsals and then shooting. 

I had done a commercial and one of the assistants of Karthik Rishi, director of Megha, had seen and passed on my pictures to him. He liked them and after audition, I joined the team.

I started Enakkul Oruvan even while I was doing Megha. All my movies have some kind of connection with commercials. I had done an ad with Dhanush then and having seen that, Prasath Ramar, director of Enakkul Oruvan called and explained about the character in the film. I was surprised that there was no connection with the ad and the character in the film and was wondering why he called me. He wanted me to watch Kannada Lucia and I really loved it. That’s how I agreed to do the film.

If you had seen the Kannada version, my character had its own strength and stood out. She was projected well. That’s why I agreed for the film. And moreover, I felt excited to be working with Siddharth as I had many combination scenes with him. 

Right now, four movies of mine are ready for release. Kathukutty with Naren, Suseenthiran’s Vil Ambu, Navarasa Thilagam with Ma Ka Pa and Achamindri with Vijay Vasanth.

In Kathukutty I play a girl from Tanjore, completely village types. My character will have the shades of Paruthi Veeran Priya Mani, very strong.  In Vil Ambu, I play a Coimbatore city girl which will be very different from my other roles. Navarasa Thilagam will be a family entertainer. Achamindri is about education and is message oriented. It has action, romance and fully commercial. I am currently watching on my characters and don’t want to repeat.

I am also working in Kaala Koothu with Prasanna and Kalaiarasan. Eighty percent of the shoot is over. Songs and some talkie portions are pending. 

Yes, I am open to any language but I am careful about the script. However, I am more confident about Tamil films. 

If you see Maryan, Raanjhanaa and Shamitabh, it is just not hero oriented and his heroines also have meaty space to perform. In those kinds of films, there would be a good chemistry between the hero and heroine. The heroines don’t just come for two songs to romance and go away. 

I go to yoga class and I like to write. Even during the shoot, I will be writing my own stories. I also read. I listen to music a lot. 

No, the talent that I don’t have, I will not try and pursue it. 

I have told all my directors that I would dub for my roles. They are not letting me. 

The plus is that I am fluent in the language. My acting skills are also my plus in addition to my dimples. On the flipside, I am yet to understand the Tamil culture as I am not born here and I need to improve my Tamil diction.

We wish you all the best Srushti and may all your dreams come true!

Jyothsna Bhavanishankar

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