Anuya Bhagwat | 23
Instant recall: As the sprightly talkative RJ who squabbles non-stop with Jiiva in Siva Manasula Sakthi (2009). Her story so far: With her girl-next-door looks, this Mumbai girl’s choice of films has been unconventional so far – there’s her upcoming film, Madurai Sambavam, directed by Yurekha, where she plays a dark character. ‘‘My character, Caroline Thomas, is more like the second hero in the film. I have done some stunts as well,’’ she lets on. For this Pune FTI graduate (2006) who appeared in various Hindi and Marathi telefilms, Tamil films happened by accident. Like all Mumbai imports, Anuya admits to struggling with the Tamil language. ‘‘First, it sounded like a load of gibberish. But now I can understand it, though I cannot respond as my grammar is not up to the mark,’’ she says. As for K-town’s preoccupation with glamorous heroines, she adds, ‘‘I am not saying no to it. But no item numbers, please.’’
Saranya Mohan | 19
Instant recall: Besides Nayanthara’s vital statistics, what registers when watching Yaaradee Nee Mohini is Saranya as the little sister who has a crush on the hero, played by Dhanush. But it was her silent character in Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu that got people talking. Her story so far: What Saranya apart is her brief stint as a child actress at the age of five.
She was one of the tots in the Vijay-Shalini film, Kaadhaluku Mariyadhai. The trained classical dancer from Allepey starred in a few long-running Malayalam soaps but never got ‘heroine’ offers from Malayalam filmmakers.
‘‘I don’t know why. What I got were mostly boring sister roles,’’ she says with a trace of regret. Ironically, it was director Jawahar (Kaadhaluku Mariyadhai) who offered her Yaaradee Nee Mohini. Though she was noticed in Mahesh Sarnaya Matrum Palar (she played a bharatanatyam dancer) and Jayam Kondaan (Bhavna’s sister), it was Venilla Kabadi Kuzhu that made a difference to her career. Saranya prefers village characters even if she gets typecast. ‘‘I will never shed clothes or do intimate scenes,’’ she adds, almost sternly.
Coming up: ‘‘Eeram and Aarumugam. I am one of two heroines in Eeram and in
Aarumugam, I play the hero’s sister and confidante.
I would rather do such roles that the usual three-dance heroine roles,’’ says
Saranya.
Rukmini Vijayakumar | early 20s
Instant recall: Her angelic face and the graceful movements in Bharatiraja’s Bommalattam (2008). Her lilting voice and western accent is a bonus.
Her story so far: Having graduated from the Boston Conservatory in ballet and modern dance, this Bangalore-based model (think Slice and Sunsilk ads) says she had ‘‘an inclination’’ towards dance since the age of seven. ‘‘My parents are dancers and I’m trained in Bharatnatyam, classical ballet and western dance. I have also done a few plays in Bangalore, one with writer Poile Sengupta,’’ she explains. Her Slice ads got her noticed by Bharatiraja. After a two-year break to complete her studies, she signed Ananda Thandavam, with actor Siddharth. Her take on glamour in cinema? ‘‘I have said no many times. Glamour is not a ‘morality issue’. It is all about the way you carry yourself,’’ she explains, adding that her movies shouldn’t embarrass her parents. As of now, her upcoming movie, Naan, with director Jeeva Shankar has been postponed.
Meenakshi | 20
Instant recall: She reprised hottie Sameera Reddy’s role in the Tamil remake of Taxi No 9211 (TN 07 AL 4 777) Some thought she was the only bright spot in an otherwise tedious flick. Her in-your-face sex appeal is a hot topic of discussion in the Tamil film industry.
Her story so far: Originally christened Pinky, Meenakshi is from Kolkata and has a theatre background. Even before TN 07 AL 4 777 happened, she was seen in debutant director Moorthy’s Karuppasamy Kuthagaitharar, where she played a city girl. She then took a break to complete her education – BSc in Mathematics – and was recently seen in a sizzling number in the Vishalstarrer, Thoranai. ‘‘I don’t want to be publicised as an item girl. I don’t mind being glamorous, but if it involves a lot of skin show, I would ideally like my outfits to be designed by a wellknown designer,’’ she clarifies. In her next film, Agam Puram, she once again plays a city girl.
Shammu | 16
Instant recall: Remember Dasavatharam’s (2008) fidgety young
scientist? She also painted a poignant picture as Prakash Raj’s daughter in the much-appreciated Kanchivaram.
Her story so far: Sheerin Sharmilee was a ninth grade student in Orlando, when she bumped into director Ravikumar who was scouting for a Tamil-speaking actress for Dasavatharam.
For Kanchivaram, Prakash Raj made her pose in a paavadai sattai and sari to ensure that she suited the role. ‘‘I think my ignorance about cinema and acting helped me a lot. I blindly followed Priyan sir’s (director Priyadarshan) instructions,’’ she says. Referring to her makeover for her ‘Madurai village ponnu’ get up in her next release, director Jeevan’s Mayilu, she grins, ‘‘I wear a dirty davani and dark make-up. As for the Madurai accent, I repeated whatever the assistant directors told me.’’ In another project, Malayan, she plays ‘‘a fearless village girl’’: In a scene, I had to tear the hero’s lungi. But I got so involved that the lungi was soon in tatters!’’
In total contrast to these roles is her city-bred character in Maathi Yosi. She has crooned a number along with Shankar Mahadevan for the film and has even played the saxophone.