Shuttling between school and tuition, Lakshmi Menon takes time off her schedule to talk about how she balances studies and movies, besides her upcoming project and success of Manjapai
What’s really happening between you and Vishal?
I just have one answer to that. If I do not have enough time to go to school itself, how will I be dating someone?
Ever thought of non-homely roles?
I am completely okay with playing a modern girl. But two things — first, directors and producers should approach me, and second, I should feel confident about pulling off such a role. I wouldn’t go asking for modern roles. But I think, since I have been playing a homely girl in all my movies, directors have branded me that way. That apart, I myself have to feel good in more glam clothes. I am working on it, dieting and gymming.
The Manjapai story
While shooting for the movie, I never thought that my role in it would make the audience angry. I had not read the script before. Each day of the shoot, I was given a sheet of dialogues, told about the mood it required. I did not know what Rajkiran was replying to my dialogues. And since he plays a loving grandfather, and I, a possessive girlfriend of Vemal, I think a few dialogues of mine suggested a very negative character of me.
Love for Tamil
From when I was a child, though I don’t have any relatives in Chennai, I have grown up watching more Tamil movies than Malayalam ones. Many people think that I learn Tamil after acting in Tamil movies, but that is not true. I knew the language even before I did a Tamil movie. However, I wouldn’t want to shift base to Chennai. I like to stay in Kerala.
What next?
I’m shooting for Komban, a film by Kuttipuli Mutthiah, alongside Karthi, from next week. I play a countryside girl, but a very bold one. I had told myself that I wouldn’t do any films till I finish twelfth grade. But then Muthiah sir just asked me to listen to the script once. I would have regretted if I hadn’t taken it up. The film, even for a Tamil one, gives importance to the heroine.
School-films balance
I will have to take leave from school and go to Rameshwaram next week for the shooting. It is very difficult to manage both. But my teachers are very understanding. I am relying on them.
Challenging roles till date?
Naan Sigappu Manithan was physically exhausting. When it comes to acting, I haven’t found any roles in Tamil challenging. But in Malayalam, the recent one, Avataaram with Dileep was challenging.