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Vishaka Singh is not your typical heroine. She’s acting, co-producing films and terms herself a gypsy. From Bollywood to Kollywood, she’s seen it all and is very comfortable in her own skin. She’s clear that she’s not part of rat race and wants to stand out with her work rather than fit in. Working on Oru Oorla Rendu Raja together was a blast says Vishaka adding that she’s thankful and lucky to have Priya Anand in her life. Vishaka is very candid about her career in films and is not hesitant to call a spade a spade. Read on…
Tell us about Oru Oorla Rendu Raja (OORR)
It’s a special appearance in the film and I am doing it only for Priya Anand! It’s a very nice role in terms of what the girl does. In the films that I’ve done in the south, I’ve always been the girl who’s not doing anything. It’s ok but you need to reflect the changes in society. In OORR, it’s a non-glamorous role where I play a small village girl who works in a factory. Priya called me and told me it’s a small role but a very important one as she’s the catalyst in the film and told me that a lot of heroines have said no and asked if I’ll do it. I said yes because it was Priya and I wanted to spend time with her. Director Kannan also wanted that bonding between the two characters. I am glad I did the film.
How was it working with director Kannan?
I’ve seen some bits of his films on YouTube. Director Kannan is different because he portrays women very differently. There’s a lovely song with Priya and me in the film and we got very excited about that. Kannan was okaying every scene I was doing! After the first shot, I remember him saying, “I was so right. This girl was meant to do Kalpana’s role!” I was laughing. I hope I get to do a role in a film of his in future.
Why this long gap in Tamil films after Kanna Laddu Thinnai Aasiya (KLTA)?
I’m a gypsy! I divide my career into two phases – 2008 to 2010 where I was young kid who was interested in films and didn’t have any guidance; I did random, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. A lot of these flopped and I learnt a lot about the industry. I decided that this was not for me and I went to London where my dad is a venture capitalist and I worked with him for two years. Then KLTA happened and it was a bonus for me. Post KLTA, I finished four Hindi films. I probably lost out on the crucial phase of six to eight months post KLTA where I could have cashed in on its success. Having said that, I don’t have any regrets. I firmly believe that if something is meant to come my way, it will. May be I should be in Chennai more often.
Are you more serious about Hindi films versus the south?
That might just happen because Hindi is my mother tongue and I know the market there. I also co-produce small films in Mumbai and I understand the game there. Even in Mumbai, I’m not a typical heroine. I get categorised in the list of strong independent actresses there. In the south, I do the glam mainstream heroine roles. It’s an interesting mix. I don’t plan my career. I’m happy that whatever I have achieved is on my own merit and I’m enjoying the game. I don’t know what’ll happen next.
You’re doing only small in films in Tamil. Are you worried you’ll get slotted as a small film heroine?
Not at all. I firmly believe that it’s the small films that are taking giant steps. That’s how it’s been the last few years. It’s happening all over India, not just in Tamil. It’s the small filmmakers that people are now taking notice of. How many times will you see the same hero doing the same thing, the director doing the same thing, etc. When I work with new age directors, I feel I can have my say and have a conversation with them about things. There’s a give and take of ideas. I don’t need to go on set and always be in gratitude that they’ve given me a role in front of a big hero. That’s not me. So I am ok with being slotted with smaller heroes. Every big thing would have to start small right? But yes, I would love to do a thorough commercial film as it completes your perceptive. But then I’m told I’m too intelligent to do these films. (Laughs)
So, are you too intelligent for the film industry?
Tarun Mansukhani (director of Dostana) is a close friend of mine and he gave me some advice. He said, “Visakha, when you go for these meetings just smile and laugh at everything the director says.” I said I can’t do that. I feel that when the project is yours you have to give your inputs. But I’m learning, slowly. Everything is an experience for me. But whatever little work I do, I work with people who are like-minded and in the process I take away good memories.
You’re a strong Indie actress but there are very few performance-oriented roles in Kollywood…
Absolutely! It is frustrating because as an actor you want to go on the set and face challenges and you want to discover something new that takes your craft to another level. But I have to look at the positive side. While I am waiting for these great roles to fall into my lap, I am glad I am not sitting at home. I’m constantly on some set or the other – Tamil, Telugu or Hindi – or working on my co-production. The good part is that I’m constantly doing something or the other!
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