Tete-a-tete with Vedhika Kumar

Actress Vedhika Kumar doesn’t believe in commercial and non-commercial cinema and clarifies that her upcoming film Kaaviya Thalaivan is as ‘commercial’ as her previous works. In this freewheeling chat with Only Kollywood, she candidly talks about working back-to-back with two national award-winning filmmakers, how she prepared for KT by watching Sivaji Ganesan’s “Saraswathi Sabatham” and her admiration for AR Rahman. 

After a critically acclaimed film like “Paradesi”, people would’ve expected you to do something more commercial but you chose “Kaaviya Thalaivan” instead. Why?

It’s very much a commercial film with names such as Vasantha Balan, Siddharth and A.R Rahman associated with it. People keep asking me why am I doing this film after ‘Paradesi’, and that I should have done something more commercial. I find it very funny because these people don’t ask the same question to actresses who always are seen running around trees and looking glamorous in most films,” she said. I don’t believe in commercial and non-commercial cinema. I think there’s only good and bad cinema.

I will sign a film if I find it exciting. As long as you’re excited about your work, it doesn’t matter what kind of film you’re doing. I’ve only chosen may be ten percent of films offered to me so far and all have given me creative satisfaction. Also, soon after “Paradesi”, I worked in a Malayalam film called “Singaravelan”, which was a modern-day romantic tale with a lot of scope for performance. I’m also doing another film in the language called “Cousins”, which is not a period film. It’s about what you want to do and what excites you the most at that moment. I think I have an interesting mix of films and it helps me explore myself. There’s no point in doing just one kind of cinema.

So what’s exciting about “Kaaviya Thalaivan”?

It definitely has to be the team and the script. You don’t get to work in a film featuring seven National award-winning personalities very often. It’s one of the best teams I’ve worked with. The script is very fascinating and so is my role, which is based on the life of yesteryear legendary singer K. B Sundarambal. I don’t play the legend herself but my role is just modeled on her. I’m part of a drama troupe and I play a 17-year old.

“Kaaviya Thalaivan” is based on the lives of theater artists of the 20^th century. Was the acting process in the film any different from your previous films?

I think there’s a lot of difference. I don’t think there has been a role in recent times as unique as this. It’s a full-length performance role and I get to don about 20-25 different get-ups. It was extremely challenging and at the same time was fun. Although I prepared by watching a lot of old Tamil films like Sivaji Ganeshan sir’s ‘Saraswathi Sabatham’ and some drama videos, all of us were expected to add a personal touch to our respective roles. We never tried to imitate anyone. The director was there to guide. He would give us all the freedom to what we want to do and if needed he would add more inputs to extract the best out of us. It’s because of the support from my director I could pull off such a complicated role.

I also feel playing different characters was challenging. I’m not playing a pretty girl who wears blues jeans and goes to college. This role comes with a different baggage of taking up different roles and playing them to perfection. There was always the pressure of satisfying my team that believes in me and in turn make them proud.

You have performed on par Simbu in “Kutti Pisasu” song in “Kaalai”. Now, “Kaaviya Thalaivan” looks more classical-oriented. Are you a trained dancer?

There’s lot of scope for classical dancing in the movie. The Bharatanatyam classes I took in my childhood came in very handy. I had the privilege of working with the late choreographer Raghuram master for the song ‘Thiruppugazh’. It was a big deal for me to have worked with him because he was a legend. We had planned to shoot another song with him but unfortunately he passed away.

This is the second time you’ve worked with A.R Rahman. What do you have to say about this collaboration?

I’ve worked with Rahman sir previously in ‘Sakkarakatti”. The only reason I did that film was for Rahman sir and Dhanu sir (Kalaipuli S. Dhanu). I’ve grown up listening to Rahman’s music and there’s no way I could say no to an opportunity to work with him. I feel extremely lucky because most people rarely get to work with him in one film, but I’ve had the privilege to work in two. I feel his music is such that you don’t need words to describe it. Even if music has no words, it’s sure going to reach the hearts of the people because he makes it from his soul. His music can only be described with goose bumps and tears because it’s divine. It touches your heart and almost pierces through your soul. As a musician, he’s adored globally and there’s no doubt it. But as a person, I think he’s humanity personified. He’s so well mannered and grounded even after achieving so much recognition

Given that this is a period film, how was the experience of seeing yourself in traditional costumes?

Costumes are done by Niranjani, and I think it was a challenge for her as well considering this is a different film altogether. Although she’s worked in a few films, to suddenly be given such a big responsibility must have been tough for her. But she’s done a great job. The whole look is very dramatic since I play a drama artist. The makeup had to be minimal and to even get ready for shoot; it would take us about 3 hours because there’s so much of detailing in the look.

If there’s one thing that you take back from “Kaaviya Thalaivan” experience what would that be?

It was a rewarding experience. I worked with so many talented artists who are masters of their own art. One thing that I’ll definitely take back is the humility from the people I’ve worked with. When you look at someone like Rahman sir, you realize he’s so grounded and humble. This is what I take back with me and by being grounded I think I learn a lot.

Two back-to-back films with National award-winning filmmakers. How was the experience and how different are they?

They’re very similar in terms of giving their actors good scope for acting, yet at the same time they’re different in the type of cinema they make and their approach. I think their ability to get their actors to perform to their full potential is what makes them special.

When you look back at your own career today, are you happy with the way it has shaped up? Do you regret missing or not doing any film?

Absolutely! I’ve always done projects I wanted to do and never did films I regretted doing. I’ve never signed a film I’m not excited about because if I had, then I wouldn’t be as content as I’m today. As I said before, I’ve only signed may be ten percent of the films that were offered to me. I believe in quality work and that’s what makes me happy. In fact, all my followers and well-wishers on Facebook and Twitter want me to only do quality work. I want to be proud of the work I’m doing.

Vedhika is currently shooting for Malayalam film “Cousins”, and she’s expected to sign a new Tamil project in a week’s time.