Actor Catherine Tresa, whose second film in Tamil, Kathakali is to hit screens for Pongal, believes that the wage gap between male and female actors in the film industry is fast shrinking.
Talking to City Express, she said, “Yes, there is a discrepancy between how much male actors and female actors are paid and I hope it wouldn’t be there for long. However, I also think that the gap is somehow being bridged. At least, it is in the process of being bridged. If you look at the general trend, there are a lot of women-centric films coming up. For instance, the film that comes to my mind is the Nayanthara-starrer Maya (2015) that did really well. So, even there, you are bridging the gap between the genders. It is a work in progress.”
Does she consider the industry to be women-friendly? Says the actor, “I have been treated very well in all the films that I have worked on, and they are very professional.” Talking about her role in Kathakali, Catherine says, “ I play Meenu Kutty, a pharmacist. She is a cute, sweet girl who has childlike innocence. This film is very different from what I have done in Madras (2014). In fact, this is the first time I have done an action thriller. More importantly, Pandiraj sir has opted for a new style of storytelling that is refreshing.”
Catherine says it is important to know the language of the film one is acting in. “I understand Tamil. In fact, I am really good with my lines. I think knowing the language is important. You can’t do a film and not know the language.” Which is probably one of the reaosns the actor is known to choose her scripts carefully. Apart from Kathakali, Catherine has Kanidhan and Veera Dheera Sooran in Tamil, and a Telugu film.
In recent times, a lot of celebrities have been using their popularity to support social causes. Catherine says she is no different. “At the moment, I don’t support a cause. But very soon, I intend to. I will be looking to garner support for animal shelters. In fact, I would like to open one very soon,” she says.