Bhavana - Interview

Life before coming to films?

It's simple. I don't have any filmy background. Just I have been passionate about films since my childhood. After doing my 10th class, I got the offer in Malayalam film – nammal opposite newcomers like Siddharth, Jishnu and Renuka Menon. My education was stopped with just intermediate. Later, I did some good films at malayalam industry, before getting into Kollywood. Now, I am in Telugu setting my foot here with Ontari.

Who is your godfather?

God alone is my godfather. I don't need to tell you much. It is really tough to get into the glamour world. Even if we enter, the longevity is doubtful. Trends are changing. Different scripts are coming up every day. I believe in God and He will continuously help people who ever keep trying to improve their knowledge in their respective fields. I respect talent. This attitude always protects me in the profession and personal life as well.

Is Bhavana your real name or Screen name?

My real name is Karthika. Bhavana is my screen name.

Ontari brought you rave reviews. When are you going to act with big heroes?

I know that when a film clicks, it also brings luck to the heroine. She will find herself through stardom. I don't believe in things like acting with big heroes when we get a break. I always consider myself as an actress, first.

How do you respond to gossips?

I don't think there are any gossips about me. I don't really take this thing seriously. Just like that they come and go. They are like seasonal diseases. When we maintain professional attitude, it is the best way to keep rumors at bay. Making friendship just to follow a fad is something that contributes to gossiping. Other than romance and marriage or separation, you don't find anything else.

What are your professional priorities?

See, now I have an identity as an actress. Every professional will have its priorities. I am almost 20-films old. I have a perception of my own. I give great importance to story, followed by the track record of its producer and the talent of the director and my costar. All these things need not be compulsory, but a glance at these things makes an actress professional. This approach will definitely help a heroine in the longer run.


What do you do keep yourself fit?

I do yoga. I take good food. I never diet. I keep myself always happy. I don't think we have any right to disturb our minds. And also, it our foremost duty to maintain physical agility. Not only artistes, I think health should be taken care of by all people.

You did all over the South. When are you going to Bollywood?

Of course, every heroine from the South will eye for Bollywood. When we dream of Bollywood, we should also know that we are just dreaming. We should do something worthwhile to realize the dreams. Watching my film – Chintamani Kolai Case (Malayalam), a filmmaker from Mumbai approached me to do the Hindi version myself. But, that time I was young and couldn't take decisions of my own. Also, I was busy with a couple of Tamil films. I didn't accept the Hindi project. I don't know what happened later. I am 22 now. If such a thing repeats, definitely, I will take good decisions.

You are frank enough to say that you are 22. Do you think heroine generally reveal their age?

Yes. I am 22. Why should I hide my age? What would I be getting out of it? There are three things. Either you should reveal your original age, or make false statement, or remain silent. Which one you think is better? It will be there in my passport, driving license and everywhere. I can't also escape the Net information. I too am aware of it. Generally, girls feel embarrassed to reveal their age. Always, girls try to reduce the original figure, but not all girls.

What's your opinion about love and marriage?

They are vey important to live a good life. See, everybody loves. Marriage is part of our lives. We can't simply evade it. As of me I never say I never loved. But, definitely I will marry the right guy.

You are a +2 dropout. Don't you think you missed your college life?

Yes. At first, I felt very bad. Later, I forget about it. I am now satisfied that pursuing film career is also like education. You get recognized. You do entertain a large number of people. I hope to continue my studies. This I will definitely do after marriage.


You said God is your godfather. Who is your favorite God?

It's Lord Guruvayurappa in our Kerala. He is Lord Krishna. His enchanting power mesmerizes me. Consciousness about him makes me cool at all times.

What's your taste for music?

I love music a lot. I listen to all sorts of music. Classical, Western, Hindustani and film stuff. I have a bagful of CDs and Cassettes. I also hum my favorite songs. Recently, I liked the song… Enthandaga Unnave.

Tell us what you don't like in the film industry?

There are a number of things which I hate and detest in the film industry. But, I can't tell you. Surely, I can't tell you. Just like that leave it. Please, don't ask for it.

What's your favorite dress?

I like Salwar Kameez and Jeans. I also like sarees.

What are your hobbies?
Music, reading books.

Your future projects?

I am engaged to some film in Tamil and Malayalam. One film I doing as part of helping the poor and downtrodden artistes.

Malayalam actress Ananya

At a time when glamour rules the roost in the industry, not many have the courage to say no to glam roles.

Ananya, a Malayalam actress who is now making her debut in Tamil with Nadodigal, is different.
Says the actress, “I just want to play nice characters. I only look at how strong my characters are and how my costumes in the film will be. I don’t want to do glamour roles. I believe that an artiste can survive in this industry by doing good character roles alone. I don’t think one can survive on glamour. Even if that is the case, I don’t want to do such roles.”

The lass, who is elated that she has been a part of a good project, plays director-cum-actor Sasi’s girl in the movie. She says, “I play Sasi sir’s pair in this movie. It’s a joyful character which has a specific mannerism. It is so wonderful. I’m so grateful to God that I’ve got a good film to debut with in the Tamil industry.”

Going on to state how she landed the role in Nadodigal, the actress says, “It was director Kani (Samudrakani) sir and Kathir (the cameraman of Nadodigal) anna who first saw my pictures. They then met me and realised that I looked lean and fit. They asked me how I had managed to cut down on my weight as I looked a little plump in the pictures. I told them that it was through diet control and exercise. They then asked me to come for a photo shoot, after which they selected me to play the character of Nallamma in the film. I think the movie has come out nicely. It was a pleasure working on this project as everybody associated with it was very helpful.”

Helpful? We ask and she replies with a smile, “On the first day of shooting, I was not able to understand a single word of what the crew was speaking. It was then that Sasi sir and the director decided to teach me Tamil. For the next 15 days, they taught me Tamil and I reached a stage where I was able to understand what was being said. The whole crew talked to me in Tamil. Now, you hear me speaking in Tamil.”

Ananya made her debut in the Malayalam industry with the movie Positive. Apart from her Tamil project, she also has two other Malayalam films, including Rahasiya Police, waiting to hit the screens.

Says the actress, “Rahasiya Police is a crime thriller in which actor Jayaram plays a double role. The movie is expected to release on July 4.”
So, does she have any other Tamil projects on hand? “There have been offers but I have not committed myself to doing any at the moment. I’m waiting for Nadodigal to release as I’m eager to see the response to the film,” she signs off.

Ananya Interview

The latest Malayali actress Ananya to make her debut in Telugu films. Ananya is balancing her career between academics and films. In her final year of BA specializing in Journalism, Visual Communication Ananya has a very professional attitude towards films. Though she loves working in Malayalam movies, she spends most of her time watching films from all languages and wants to direct some day.

There is some innate charm and innocence about Ananya. She is also very forthcoming and startles you with her straight answers.

She says Telugu films, the dubbed versions or the remakes do very well in Kerala. Bommarillu starring Siddharth has been remade with Bharat. Girls, women love Allu Arjun and consider him a very happening actor.

"My friends in college never miss his films, all his films are a hit here, run for 100 days, they keep themselves constantly updated about him and even ask me about him if I have ever met him during my shoots in Hyderabad and so on."

The actress says her name Ananya means 'unique' or 'something that doesn't have an end'. She has played a very important role in the Tamil hit Nadodigal which is being remade here as Sambho Siva Sambho. Priyamani is playing Ananya's role.

She has done three Malayalam films so far - Positive, Rahasya Police and Fiddle. Her debut film in Telugu is 'Amayakudu' in which Krishnudu plays the hero. She says, "Don't get confused by my name. There is another Malayalam actress Saranya who is playing heroine in Krishnudu starrer 'Village Lo Vinayakudu'."

In Amayakudu, Ananya will be seen as Divya, a student in an engineering college, a rank holder in the State, has lot of problems at home, gets introduced to Krishnudu who will eventually propose to her. Krishnudu likes Divya and he in turn is liked by Geeta Singh. The actress began her career in films after being spotted in reality shows.

So how is the food in Hyderabad? She remarks, "It's very spicy. But I'm surprised people in Hyderabad keep eating here all the time. No wonder they are fat. In Kerala we eat only when we are hungry and we eat only little." There is little to dispute here as assistants were seen pampering the stars with salads, snacks, fruit juices every half an hour on the sets.

Ann Augustine Interview on Arjunan Saakshi

Malayalam actress Ann Augustine could be the find of 2010. Her maiden venture as an actor, Lal Jose' Elsamma Enna Aankutty, has become a big success. She played the local reporter of a daily in a sleepy village, who had to become bold enough to take care of her family.

Ann has just completed shooting for Ranjith Sankar's Arjunan Saakshi, opposite Prithviraj. She is currently facing the camera as Kunchacko Boban's fiancee in V K Prakash's Three Kings.

Daughter of veteran actor Augustine, Ann chats with Meghna George.

Your character in Arjunan Saakshi is called Anjali Menon. What is she like?

She is a journalist and a modern girl. That doesn't mean she is very bold and brave. She is a normal girl. She gets involved in certain social issues and moves along with it. There is no big romance happening.


How different is this character from the one in your debut film, Elsamma Enna Aankutty?
You can't compare the two characters, as there are no similarities between them.

Elsamma was a local reporter for a daily but she came from a completely different environment. She had tremendous responsibilities and was really bold. My character in Arjunan Saakshi, as I have already mentioned, is that of a normal girl who has just started her career.

How did life change for you after Elsamma Enna Aankutty?

(Laughs) Life has changed a lot, in the sense that now I have to wake up so early! I would definitely love to sleep more. Then there are the usual things like people recognising me on the streets. Things around me have changed quite a lot.

But personally, there is not much change for me. My friends are still the same. Maybe two or three have been added to the list.


Did you imagine Elsamma Enna Aankutty to become such a big success?

Never. Of course, I wanted it to do well. I expected it to be a big hit and prayed a lot. I had put my heart and soul into my character. For the first time in my life, I knew what hard work was. I never thought it would become such a big success and I feel so happy about it.

If you could rewind and do the role all over again, how different it would be?

Like any other actor, I feel that I could have been better in some of the scenes too. I would perhaps do some scenes in a different way. But this happens to everyone. The important thing is that director Lal Jose had confidence on me and


You were planning to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology. Now, how serious are you about the career as an actor?

No, I am not confident about a career as an actor. Actually, I feel this is not a career option. It may be there for two or three years. There are too many talented kids coming and I always feel like I am not very talented. I don't think of this as my career. But let's see how things happen (smiles).