Ritika Singh Interview: “Vijay Sethupathi is very helpful, kind and down to earth”
Ritika Singh’s very first film, Irudhi Suttru, got her a mention at the National Awards. She is a bundle of talent and is now waiting for the release of her second film, Aandavan Kattalai directed by Manikandan and co-starring Vijay Sethupathi. Here, catch Ritika in this interview with Kaushik LM for Only Kollywood.
Getting into Aandavan Kattalai, how long did it take for you to come out of Irudhi Suttru’s Madhi?
“I came out of the Madhi hangover instantly, before Irudhi Suttru released actually. The character in Aandavan Kattalai is different from Madhi and also from what I am in real life. I am very casual and hyperactive in real life but this character is not very expressive, doesn’t talk much, doesn’t smile much. She is to the point, straight-forward and will make things happen for her. It was initially tough, but eventually got fine. I had to subdue the actual Ritika and make sure she didn’t come out.”
From Sudha Kongara to Manikandan, how was it to experience two different direction styles?
“Manikandan has the ability to make people comfortable. He’ll let you be yourself and based on your behavior pattern, he’ll extract the right work. He doesn’t judge people for what they are.”
Did you do your share of homework to play a news reporter in this film?
“I watched a lot of news reporters on TV to learn my Tamil dialogues. I generally don’t have the time to watch TV. It was a difficult process as I haven’t been exposed to such Tamil before. But Manikandan’s guidance made it easier.”
Working with an actor like Vijay Sethupathi must have been a priceless learning process, right?
“Yes, I learnt a lot from him. Though he has his share of fun, he is very sincere when it comes to shooting. As a person, he is very helpful, kind and down to earth.“
Your next film, Shivalinga pits you against Raghava Lawrence, who is a phenomenal dancer. Are you game enough to dance with him onscreen?
“I don’t know, he is something else. I am scared and don’t want to think about it now. Maybe I’ll cry.”
So, are you finally getting used to this new life as an actor?
“It is a totally new life for me. I used to roam around on the streets happily during 
my college days, eating whatever I wanted. But I have to be responsible now and have to think carefully before I even talk.
Recently, I had to travel from Mumbai to Chennai. At the airport, I spotted a South Indian heroine, who was looking just outstanding, like a complete diva. In complete contrast to her, I was looking like you (laughs). I was in my track pants behaving all tomboyish, casual and chilled-out. It was worlds apart from this heroine. But that’s how I want to be, I want normal people to relate to me, when they see me on screen.”
Do you miss your boxing days? Do you keep in touch with the sport?
“I really miss it, though I still do practice. Competing gives you a totally different feeling, an adrenaline rush!”
Did you follow the Indian contingent’s prospects at the recent Rio Olympics?
“I followed it religiously as two of my good friends, Vikas Yadav and Manoj Kumar were fighting. I also followed badminton obviously, and Sindhu is such a phenomenal woman. She is just 21 years old and in her very first Olympics, she has won a silver. She is a role model for all of us. If ever I do an interview, it would be with her.“
The National Awards ceremony experience …
“It was just unbelievable and took about 3 to 4 days to sink in. It is the acting equivalent of an Olympics medal. At the ceremony, I didn’t want to cry on stage but I did have tears in my eyes. I can’t explain that feeling in words.”
Finally, in a recent interview, your director Manikandan said that since you are a sportswoman, you are good in the acting sphere too. How does being a sportswoman help you in films?
“Be it sports or cinema, I am a very good student. I listen to my director’s instructions carefully and won’t do my own thing. I am an empty vessel on sets. That’s something that I take from my sports background.”
Ritika will also be seen next in the Telugu version of Irudhi Suttru, titled Guru. Venkatesh would tutor her onscreen and Sudha Kongara would be directing this version too.
Interviewed by Kaushik LM