When director Ram was looking for a suitable heroine for his debut flick Mundasupatti, a period flick set in a village, the film’s producer C V Kumar suggested that he cast Nandita. Though a little reluctant, Ram decided to go ahead with the suggestion. He admits, “I wasn’t sure because the role had so many pre-requisites—she had to be earthy yet appealing. But when we began shooting I was surprised. I only had to describe the situation and she would automatically get into the skin of the role and improvise.”
With eight movies in just two years, the archetypal village belle says that she has also managed to make her mark in hero-centric films like Ethir Neechal.
“Sivakarthikeyan is the hero in the first half, while my role takes over in the second half. One of the reviewers said that I walked away with all the applauses,” she says.
Her upcoming projects are Idam Porul Eval with Vijay Sethupathi helmed by Seenu Ramasamy and Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani, a comedy caper opposite Bharath. “I am now an expert at comedy roles. It is going to be an out-and-out laugh riot with more than 20 comedy actors in Aindhaam…,” she says.
Taking a similar rustic route, school-going actress Lakshmi Menon, who is just 18, has been leading the way for heroines. After an impressive debut with Sundarapandian, followed by Kumki, Lakshmi has had a flurry of critically acclaimed and commercial hits like Pandiyanaadu, Manjapai and Jigarthanda.
Lakshmi was the ideal choice for filmmaker N Ragavan who cast her in Manjapai, a family drama. “The character Karthika has a grey side. But I didn’t want her to earn the ire of the viewers, who would definitely sympathise with the hero’s granddad. I needed someone to understand that there were several layers,” he says.
Essaying urban roles and the small-town girl with equal finesse, Lakshmi has struck a balance. “I have only accepted projects that tapped my potential, irrespective of the size of my role. Everyone treats me like a kid, but I have worked hard to show them that despite being so young, I am a serious actress,” she says.
With a few big productions like Avatharam in Malayalam opposite Dileep that hit screens with Jigarthanda this month, she is currently shooting for Komban directed by Kuttipuli Muthiah. “Palani in Komban is very different from the typical roles heroines get in Tamil cinema,” she says.
When ad filmmaker Bharath Bala forayed into films with Maryan, his project created ripples. With Dhanush playing the lead and A R Rahman scoring the music, the project was sensational. However, alongside the big names was Poo actress Parvathi who impressed audiences and fans alike with her memorable role as Panimalar in the thriller. Among the impressed lot is filmmaker Pa Ranjith, who says, “Both in Maryan and Bangalore Days, Parvathi has been distinct with her talent. Her biggest strength is her determination to work in films that match her conviction. Seldom do we come across artistes who have the will and the courage to do quality films in their early days. It is important for actresses to stick to their stand and here we have a role model like Parvathi for aspiring actresses.”
For the newly-wed Amala Paul, filmdom has been both edgy and rewarding. Beginning with the controversial Sindhu Samaveli, Mynaa offered her the much-needed break. After award-winning roles like Oru Indian Pranayakatha and Run Baby Run, Kadhalil Sodhapuvadhu Yeppadi, Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal and Vettai—all in one year—sealed her spot in the industry. Balaji Mohan, who directed her in Kadhalil Sodhapuvadhu… says, “She was fresh from the success of Mynaa. As Mynaa, she was opposite to the modern and bubbly role I had cast her in. As Parvathi in the film, she had to be unassuming yet modern. Without much ado, Amala was able to mould herself,” he says.
Nazriya who made her debut with Neram has had a string of successes like Raja Rani in Tamil, and Ohm Shanthi Oshaana and Bangalore Days in Malayalam.