Inteviews & Articals

Tamannaah’s Bollywood debut, Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, may have bombed at the box office, but she went on to become a successful leading lady down south. Now, she’s back with Himmatwala, following which she’s got a film opposite Akshay Kumar. Two weeks ahead of the release of her comeback venture, the actor has plenty to smile about.

How does it feel?

I’m extremely excited. I’ve got to work with a blockbuster director and a superstar actor. I’m lucky. Everyone has put in a lot of effort and energy to make the film look awesome. It’s a complete mass entertainer, with romance, action, comedy, drama and plenty more. It’s like a thali — a mix of everything.

Comparisons with Sridevi from the original are inevitable. How does that make you feel?

All my life, I’ve dreamt of being part of something she has done. The film’s song-and-dance sequences are iconic. It feels amazing to have played her part. I was on cloud nine while shooting the song Nainon Mein Sapna.

Farah Khan said she made you dance a lot, and your experience from south films came handy.

It was a big deal for me to work with Farah ma’am. She has done two songs in the film. She’s an amazing director and an outstanding choreographer. She has always extracted the best from her actors and it was a pleasure to learn from her.

Tell us about your next film, which stars Akshay Kumar.

Once again, it will be an entertainer for the masses. I’m very excited about it.

Is it safe to say that you’re choosing mass entertainers over films for the classes?

I don’t think so. I’m an actor and would like to explore other genres too. Right now, these are the best options coming my way. For my creative satisfaction, I’d like to do various kinds of films.

Southern star Tamannaah Bhatia, who would be seen in the Hindi remake of ‘Himmatwala’, feels fortunate to be a part of the film.

In the remake version of ‘Himmatwala’, directed by Sajid Khan, Tamannaah would be seen opposite actor Ajay Devgn.

The film is a remake of the 1983 hit with the same name, which had Jeetendra and Sridevi in the lead.

“I am from Mumbai and I was waiting for a good script to come my way. I was happy when I was offered this film. I wouldn’t have missed the opportunity to do this movie,” the actress told reporters here last evening.

She had made her debut in films in 2005 with the Hindi movie – ‘Chand Sa Roshan Chehra’ and thereafter went on to do films down south till ‘Himmatwala’ came her way.

“I was very excited to know that I would be a part of this film. Sajid Khan and Ajay Devgn is a briiliant combination,” she said.

The film is set to release on March 29 this year.

“I like when I am surrounded by people, but I also consider loneliness as a blessing. It gives me the time and space to think about my life,” Tamannaah said in a recent interview.

She has been one of the busiest actresses in Telugu cinema for the past two years. Although 2012 was a mixed bag for her, the actress is not deterred by the failures. Sharing her views, she said, “I am aware of my strengths and weaknesses. Whenever I’m alone, I think about where all I had committed mistakes. It gives me a lot more clarity about what I should avoid doing.”

Currently, she has only one Telugu film, the Telugu remake of Vettai in which she’s paired up with Naga Chaitanya, to her credit. However, it’s going to be a big year ahead for her as she’s gearing up for her first big project in Bollywood – Himmatwala.

Apart from these two films, she’ll soon begin shooting for Ajith’s upcoming Tamil film in Souryam Siva’s direction.

Being a top star is not easy. There is a lot of hard work and hard choices. Gorgeous beauty Tamannaah says that she routinely makes many compromises to be on top in the industry. Working at odd hours, responding to shooting requests at any time and lack of personal space with family are all routine events she says.

“I had a little free time recently and I was all set to go to the US for a much needed vacation with my family. Just as I was about to leave, I got a call from the production team of Rebel, asking me to pack my bags for a Bangkok schedule. I left for Bangkok without a second thought”, said Tamannaah.

When asked if she was unhappy with those sacrifices, Tammannaah replied in the negative. “The industry has given me so much and to be successful, one most make sacrifices sometimes. Work is a priority for me” she says.

Tamannaah is currently busy with ‘Cameraman Ganga tho Rambabu’, ‘Rebel’ and ‘Himmatwala’ in Hindi.

Tamannaah is all praises for Raghava Lawrence, the director of Rebel. She’s playing one of the lead roles in the film along with Prabhas and Deeksha Seth. At the teaser launch of the film,

Tamannaah said, “It’s been a great experience working with Lawrence and I have learnt a lot from him. In fact, I must say that I have changed as a person. He’s one of my gurus when it comes to dancing and I couldn’t believe that I was capable of dancing like what I have done in this film. 100% Love got me a good name as an actress and I am sure that this film will do the same as a dancer. Prabhas is a fabulous co-star to work with and I have got along very well with Deeksha, although we don’t have much scenes together.”

This is the first time that she’s teaming up with Prabhas and the actress seemed to be quite pleased with the way the film has turned out.

Watch Rebel First Look Launch Video

Tamannaah’s next release will be Endukante Premanta in which she stars opposite actor Ram. “It’s a love story as well as a family entertainer. We travelled to quite a few places while shooting and it’s an exciting film. People are expecting a lot from Ram, director Karunakaran and me,” says the actress.

About her co-star, Tamannaah says, “Ram is good friend, working with him was fun and energetic. He is very humorous and at the same time, very passionate about his work. It’s nice to be around someone like that.” She adds, “Working with director Karunakaran was also amazing. He says ‘thank you’ after every shot, which is very encouraging and motivates one to work harder. I have never seen anyone else doing that in my life.”

The actress is being called a lucky mascot for those going through a rough patch, since the movies she’s been part of have been faring well at the box office. She responds, “I am flattered by the compliment, but I think people are just being kind. I think I have been lucky to have worked in movies that went on to become hits.”

Tamannaah is excited about her B-town comeback film, where she will be playing Sridevi’s role in the remake of Himmatwala. “I am looking forward to the film. I will be starring opposite Ajay Devgn I’m very excited to be doing Sridevi’s role. It’s a huge responsibility since it was one of her first Hindi films. She’s been an inspiration to me, so I’m looking forward to meeting her and hopefully, getting some tips as well,” she says, adding, “I don’t see this as a comeback film because I never did a proper Hindi film, so this is a new beginning for me.” She also denies the reports that she has signed a movie opposite Ranbir Kapoor.

She has also simultaneously been working opposite Prabhas in the Telugu film Rebel, which is nearly complete. Next, she will work in the Pawan Kalyan starrer Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu, directed by Puri Jagannadh. When she is not shooting, Tamannaah likes to read, watch films, and spend time with her T-town friends: Kajal, Ram, Ram Charan, Samantha, Bunny, Rana, Shruti and Nayantara. “We hang out and laugh at all the rumours about us,” she chuckles.