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Shruti Haasan: I'm not a method actress

Shruti Hassan's first Telugu film Anaganaga O Dheerudu may not have set the box office on fire, but she made her presence felt in the fantasy-adventure.

Her Tamil debut film 7aum Arivu was dubbed into Telugu as 7th Sense and has been getting a fairly good revenue. She is again paired with Siddharth in her second Telugu film Oh My Friend which releases this Friday, November 11. She tells us a little about the film in this interview.

Was it the script that made you sign Oh My Friend?

 The first and foremost criterion for me when selecting a film is the character I am playing, and then the director. I think Venu (scriptwriter Venu Sriram) has done a great job so far. He is very passionate about his script and I am very happy to be a part of Oh My Friend.

 

'It's a family film that people can connect with'

What is the film about briefly?

It's a very young film. It's about love and life and friendship. I know these things have been tapped and dissected many times over, but I do believe that the perspective in this film is really lovely.

Is it contemporary and realistic?

Definitely. It's a family film that people can connect with because it's so reflective of today's youth and their parents.

Is it a love story?

It's a life story.

'I've played independent and strong characters so far'

What's your character in the film?

I play a young girl called Siri. So far I've been lucky to have the opportunity to play girls or women who are very independent and strong and this character is no different.

I don't want to say too much obviously, but I will say it is different from anything I've played so far.

Could you relate to the character?

Of course, and a lot of kids today would relate to her too. But I would say I understand her more than relate to her. Relate, to me, has always been a vague term.

I would say I understand certain aspects of her character better because of her age and the way she has to deal with life.

'I'll start shooting for my next Telugu film Gabbar Singh soon'

Do you believe in method acting or spontaneity?

I don't believe in method acting. I'm a new actress. I really believe in trying to fulfil what my director wants, what I can do to make that scene better.

I became an actress to creatively express myself. So I try to be true and honest and understand it to the best of my ability. I'm not a method actress.

You spoke in Telugu at the 7th Sense success meet. Did you dub for the film too?

No. I want to improve my Telugu rapidly and dub for my films soon, though. It's always lovely to know new languages. I'm truly picking up Telugu. I hope to improve fast enough to be able to dub for myself.

'Siddharth is enthusiastic and driven'

Did you pick it up on the sets?

Oh My Friend is my second Telugu film. I have a home in Hyderabad now and spend a lot of time here. I think just communicating with people has helped me in the past six months or so to understand a bit more about the language.

How was Siddharth as a co-star?

He's very much into his work. He's enthusiastic and driven. Everyone knows he's a fabulous actor. It was lovely working with him the second time.

And Venu Sriram?

He's been working on the script for two or three years and it's very dear to him. He was passionate and so excited about this film every day on the sets so it was lovely to work with him.

'Anaganaga O Dheerudu introduced me to Telugu audience'

Were you disappointed that Anaganaga O Dheerudu didn't do well?

I don't expect a film to do well or not do well because I don't think it is in my hands beyond a point. You just hope the audience will enjoy it. I got a lot out of Anaganaga... so there are no regrets.

It introduced me to the Telugu audience and they accepted me despite the numbers and figures. I'm happy about that and I'll always be happy to have been a part of Anaganaga... Sometimes a film clicks and sometimes it doesn't.

Was it easier working on your second Telugu film Oh My Friend?

There was a lot of change from my first film Anaganaga... I think I've grown in some ways and I'm working to improve and get better every day. It was exciting because it was in a different phase.

I did Oh My Friend after having shot for most of 7th Sense. The whole take was different, the perception of the business and my approach to it. So, it was really an exciting time and I'm really lucky to have got a character like Siri because she's lovely and interesting and I hope people like her.

Is it easy to juggle films in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi?

I've never split them up. I always say Hollywood actors don't have the chance we have in India to speak three different languages and connect to so many different people. I get to explore all my options here and meet, through my cinema, different groups of people whom I wouldn't have met otherwise. I really look at that as a blessing and I enjoy it very much.

'I've sung a song in Oh My Friend'

Have you signed any other Telugu film?

Gabbar Singh, for which I'm going to start shooting soon.

How is it working in the Telugu industry?

It has been wonderful. Hyderabad is a city which has been so welcoming to me. It's a beautiful city. The people and the audience have been so wonderful and accepted me with open arms. My Dad always said it would be a great experience working here and I was, like, 'may be for you'. But it's worked for me as well. The Telugu industry has given me so many varied opportunities and I'm very happy about that.

When do we hear you sing in a film?

I've sung a song in Oh My Friend.