Interview with Gautami: “The styles of Kamal Haasan & Mohanlal are very different”
After making a comeback to acting with Kamal Haasan’s Papanasam last year, gorgeous senior actress Gautami is back to the silver screen in Namadhu, co-starring Mohanlal and two other young actors. The film has been directed by Chandra Sekhar Yeleti and will also be releasing in Malayalam and Telugu. In this chat with Kaushik LM for Only Kollywood, Gautami opened up about this flick and also other interesting aspects of her life and career.
“Namadhu is an anthology of 4 stories. There is a lot of isolation in today’s world and 4 completely distinct lives are woven together through the film. You may call it the butterfly effect or domino effect. There is no link between the characters but it blends together beautifully through the course of the film.”
She adds more about the process of coming into this venture,
“The role was written specifically for me and the director visualized it for me. That’s how I got into Papanasam as well. I wish to work in films like this. I am just a part of an ensemble cast and the whole adds up to something special. I felt so much at home doing this film.”
Coming back with Mohanlal, almost 2 decades after Iruvar …
“He looks pretty much the same as he did back then. He is very chilled-out and cool even now. He is an easygoing star and there was lots of catching up to be done.”
The familiar Kamal Haasan vs Mohanlal debate …
“Their styles are very different. Both are very passionate about cinema and their performances are a direct reflection of their personalities.”
After Papanasam, has the Tamil industry opened up to you with more offers?
“They may be a little apprehensive to approach me as they see me busy with other things. But director Yeleti didn’t let that deter him. I am busy with other things indeed, but want to do more work as an actor, as that’s how I began my film career.”
You are the costume designer for Kamal Haasan’s Sabaash Naidu. Shruti Haasan’s tomboyish look has already earned rave reviews …
“Full credit to her for her new tomboyish look, as she designed it herself. I am particularly excited about the two characters with heavy prosthetics – Kamal sir and Ramya Krishnan. Ramya has been amazing to work with, and she possesses a lovely attitude. I was ruthless 
during the trial photoshoots but she was totally cooperative. She is very happy with her look. It’s a brilliant feeling when what you conceived is brought out well and the actor loves it too.”
So going forward, you would be juggling both acting and costume designing?
“I would love to work with almost all the promising directors, I am greedy in that way. I am definitely open to more acting offers where the director feels that I am the only possible fit for the role. It will happen if it has to.
With respect to costume designing, I have a great team. My chief costumer is Ramana and he has been with me since I started acting. It is a 25 – 30 years worth of relationship. He is very committed to the task and will deliver irrespective of demands and time constraints. He is my right hand. With such a good team, I do wish to take up different kinds of films.”
Is your daughter Subbalakshmi interested in taking the plunge into the film world?
“She is strongly into film-making, and is not interested in being in front of the camera. She has a good theater background and is into film studies. I am very proud of her attention to detail. She is well-read, well-researched, inquisitive and will go the full length and breadth to uncover information. I am proud to say that she is one of the most well-informed 16 year olds around.”
“I have always been a workaholic, I don’t sleep. I enjoy multi-tasking and accepting new challenges.”, signs off Gautami, on a really positive note.
Interviewed by Kaushik LM
