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Madhoo: I would love to do a villain's role

Madhoo Shah (nee Raghunath) acted in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam films before marriage and kids put the breaks on her career for a while.

She did films in Hindi and Tamil sporadically.

Now, after 16 years -- her last Telugu film with Venkatesh was Ganesh released in 1998 -- she has acted in a Telugu film called Anthakumundu Aatharuvatha (AMAT).

The film is produced by K L Damodar Prasad and Mohanakrishna Indraganti.

As AMAT nears the 25-day mark, Madhoo talks to Radhika Rajamani about her role in the film, and how it feels to be back in the industry.

Now that Anthakumundu Aatharavatha is nearing the 25-day mark, are you happy that you worked in this film?

Yes, I am very happy. The experience of being part of this film is wonderful. It’s my first release after many years and I am satisfied. I have a special regard for the director.

'I am ready to play a character, be it anyone'

Did you do the film because of the director, Mohanakrishna Indraganti?

I was apprehensive about doing the film because I knew nobody -- neither the producer nor the director.

When the producer mentioned that the director is a National award winner, I thought a person who has won a National award will have a different way of doing things.

I called him and spoke to him. I just went with the award winning director.

The characterisation was good and I felt it would be good to be a part of it.

Did playing a mother bother you?

Indian cinema associates itself with clichés. People keep telling me I have a ‘mother’s role’. When Mohan gave me the story of my role I felt I was playing an important character. I didn’t do it thinking I’m playing the heroine’s mother.

I am playing an independent character, who happens to be the heroine’s mother. I am ready to play a character, be it anyone.

'As a person I am unsure of myself'

This character has layers. How did you approach your role?

I’m basically a no-homework person. I totally depend on the director. In this film I knew if the director is a National award winner, he will know what he wants from me.

Have you been encouraged by the compliments showered on you for your performance?

Yes. As a person, I am unsure of myself. I never learnt to believe in myself. I surround myself with people who love me. I need appreciation from friends and family. People need to tell me how good I am for me to feel good about it.

'The way Eesha is now, I saw myself like her when I was acting with Bhanupriya years ago'

What was it like working in a film with a ‘new age’ theme?

I loved the fact that the producer of the film was reading Eckhart Tolle’s second book A New Earth. Mohanakrishna is very modest. He has integrated East and West -- Indian culture and Western things. It felt contemporary.

It was good working with a team like this which thought like me. I enjoyed working with the new heroine Eesha. Life has come full circle. The way Eesha is now, I saw myself like her when I was acting with Bhanupriya years ago in Azhagan for K Balachander.

Do you want to do more films now?

Yes, absolutely. I would love to do a villain’s role and negative roles too. I am open to working in good films.

'It was important for me to be with my children'

How is it juggling home and career?

It was important for me to be with my children. Now that the children are a bit grown up, I can step out for some time and do films.

You are so well maintained. How do you do it?

I believe in holistic living. We (humans) are made up of mind, body and soul. We have to look after all three.

We should have loving people around, do what we like doing, exercising, eating the right food, being healthy – doing everything we can do and the rest is god’s blessing. We have to count our blessings.

Have you signed any new films?

I have signed Lakshmi Ramakrishnan’s Tamil film which will go into production on January 15, 2014. I am listening to scripts and haven’t zeroed in on anything so far.