She is not the 'chinna ponnu' (small girl) anymore. After making her acting debut with Mani Ratnam in Kadal, actress Thulasi Nair is all set for her second release, Yaan with Jiiva and directed by Ravi K Chandran. Harbouring aims of becoming a businesswoman some day, the 16-year-old is going with the flow when it comes to movies. She calls herself mature and says her sister is a drama queen. We caught up with Nair as she spoke on Yaan, co-actor Jiiva and home city of Bombay.
Tell us about your role in Yaan?
In Yaan I play the role of a 23-year-old Mumbai girl whose father is an ex-military officer. She is a daddy's little girl but is also very mature. The experience of being part of Yaan was wonderful. It felt very exciting to be a part of a big project like this after two years. In Kadal I played my age but in Yaan, I have to play this mature character. The entire film is shot in Mumbai, and I am a Bombay girl, so it was easy for me to slip into the character.
So, Karthika called you a drama queen. Is that true?
I share a very special relationship with my sister. Nothing, especially films, will get in the way of it. In fact, she was more excited than me when I signed Kadal. She is the drama queen, not me. We always embarrass and pull each other's leg. At home, I act like the 23-year-old and she acts like the 16 year old!
Are you nervous about Yaan?
I have a very neutral feeling about it. My life does not depend on movies and I am going to follow my father's footsteps, continue his legacy and join the family business. What matters more to me is the experience of actually doing a film.
Are you in touch with Gautham, your first co-star?
He is so busy doing so many films but I will always be Gautham's heroine and he will always be my hero. He is all hyper and excited about my movie. Back when we were done with Kadal, I only wanted to work with him and he used to tell me, “chill na. We will do lots of movies and work together again."
You must already know Jiiva because of your sister.
My sister used to keep calling me while shooting Ko and tell me that Jiiva is a fantastic actor. He used to be very sweet and help her a lot. So when I met him, I already knew him. I wasn't scared. Our link was Karthika and he was extra sweet towards me during the shoot. Sometimes Jiiva and Ravi K Chandran used to crack such lame jokes and laugh at it themselves.
What has cinema taught you?
Acting is not simple. I thought what is the big deal, it is just laughing and crying. Each character an actor portrays is different and one needs to be a director's actor. Like for example, Mani Ratnam would always insist that the eyes should be expressive and full of emotions, for Ravi it is body language and dialogue delivery.
Besides shooting, we heard you also studied on the sets?
Yes, my tuition sir used to visit the sets and take classes. Each time there was a break, my assistant would come and hand over the books to me. I had my exams too, so I had to revise and work hard. I would come home at midnight and the next morning I would have an exam, it was very stressful. But cinema hasn't restricted me from doing what I want. My friends make sure I hang out with them and do stuff with them.