Last seen opposite superstar Rajinikanth in the 1986 Tamil film Naan Adimai Illai, Bollywood diva Sridevi is excited about her comeback in the high-budget fantasy drama Puli, which releases worldwide in cinemas on Thursday. The film, which will also be released in Hindi and Telugu simultaneously, features the 52-year-old actress in the role of an evil queen of an ancient kingdom. In an exclusive chat, she tells us the experience of working in the film and why it made her nostalgic.
Q: People would’ve expected you to do a Hindi film after English Vinglish, but you instead chose a Tamil film. Why?
Sridevi: I started my career in the Tamil industry and then went on to work in Telugu and Hindi films.
Personally, language has never been the driving force behind my choosing a project. It has always been about how excited I get about a project. That’s what makes me sign a film. It happened with English Vinglish, and it happened again with Puli. When English Vinglish released, I didn’t even think about what language my next film should be in.
Q: You must’ve been offered many projects after English Vinglish, but what made you choose Puli?
Sridevi: This is the kind of role you get once in a lifetime; it excited me so much that I immediately jumped at the opportunity to do it. Right from the costumes I sport in the film to the fantasy theme, everything excited me so much. There’s so much scope for fantasy for children, family audiences and almost everybody else.
Q: How does it feel to return to the industry where you started your career from?
Sridevi: Well, this was the same question people asked me when I did English Vinglish after a gap of 15 years. With Puli, I’m returning to Tamil cinema after two decades. Honestly, I never felt like I was away from the industry; have always felt I’ve been part of it. Unless people point out, I don’t really think about such things.
Q: You play a queen in the film and wear costumes that weigh around 20 kg. It must’ve taken a toll on your body…
Sridevi: It wasn’t easy to carry so much weight and walk around. People used to carry my costume as I’d walk from my vanity van to the sets.
Getting ready with the makeup and costumes would take me more than an hour, unlike the little time I spent draping cotton sarees in English Vinglish. It sure was very challenging but when you’re working as a team for a common goal, it’s equally fun. I need to thank Manish Malhotra for making me look majestic in my costumes.
Manish thoroughly enjoyed working on this film so much because it gave him the opportunity to experiment. Right from my gown to ornaments and the crown; he was responsible for everything.
Q: How was the experience of playing a queen?
Sridevi: They treated me like a queen off the sets too. I could’ve been treated equally with others but the team pampered me so much with love and respect. It was so sweet of them. Working in the film made me very nostalgic, because it gave me an opportunity to revisit studios I haven’t set foot in ages; it brought back old memories.
Q: In total contrast to your role in English Vinglish, you’re playing the antagonist in Puli. Isn’t it a little unconventional?
Sridevi: I play a character with grey shades, which I wouldn’t call the antagonist. I don’t play the typical queen we hear about or read of in fairy tales. This is a very intense role with great scope for performance. It’s so different from what I’ve done so far in my career.
Throughout my career, it has always been the roles that have convinced me to sign a film. When I heard about my role in Puli, and realized I haven’t done anything remotely close in my career so far, I had made up my mind that I’ll do it. As I had said before, if I’m excited about a role and feel it will be liked by my fans, I go ahead and do it.
Q: In English Vinglish you worked with Ajith and now with Vijay in Puli. How does it feel to work with modern day superstars?
Sridevi: It’s so nice of them that they didn’t have any qualms of working with a senior actress like me. They are highly popular actors but are such wonderful gentlemen. Both of them are so hard-working, down to earth and it was so much fun to work with them. Vijay is very organized on the sets; mostly quiet. There’s no discussion on the sets; no arguments and he just comes and works with so much passion.
Q: You’ve worked with Kamal Haasan in the past and now with his daughter Shruti Haasan in Puli. How was the experience?
Sridevi: Shruti’s growth as an actress is phenomenal; it amazes me. She’s as talented as her father and I’m sure she has a long career ahead.
Although people still keep referring her as Kamal Haasan’s daughter, I feel she’s carved her own niche. Unlike most young stars, she absolutely has no airs of stardom and that’s a very good sign. She’s always learning, extremely friendly and is willing to go the extra mile for the sake of her role.
Q: With Baahubali being dubbed in Hindi and doing well, do you feel the bar has been set higher for Puli?
Sridevi: I really don’t want to compare both the films. I feel every film has its own charm and gets made for a purpose. The buzz around Puli is very positive; everybody I’ve spoken to is eagerly looking forward to the movie. All my fans are waiting too. I only hope for the best.
Q: Are you looking forward to doing more films in the south?
Sridevi: Honestly, I’ve never planned my career and I never will. I think if it really excites me, I’ll do a project. Otherwise, I won’t, it’s as simple as that.
Q: Everybody wants to know if you’d let your daughters follow in your footsteps?
Sridevi: I never planned to be an actress. The same applies to my daughters as well. I’ll leave it to destiny. If it has to happen, I think nobody can stop it. My eldest daughter has recently completed her under graduation and I don’t think she’s ready yet to face the arc lights. My younger one is in school and it’s too early to even think about her future.
(Karthik Kumar is an independent film critic and journalist. He actively follows and writes on popular South Indian cinema and covers independent films too.)
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