Meet Kanasu's mother

One of the most eagerly awaited Kannada films is National award winning actor Prakash Raj's first directorial venture, Nannu Nannna Kanasu, a remake of one of the most successful Tamil films of recent times, Abhiyum Naanum.

The movie also marks the return of actress Sithara to Kannada films. She plays the protagonist, Kanasu's mother.

The role of Abhi made memorable by Trisha in the original is done by Amoolya in Kannada. She is Kanasu (dream) in Kannada. Prakash Raj plays Kanasu's father.

Sithara who was last seen in Jeenu Gudu tells Shruti Indira Lakshminarayana more about her role and why she was on a hiatus. Excerpts:

You're back after an 11-year gap. Why such a long break?

It was not intentional. It's just that I was getting stereotypical roles and I didn't want to accept them. I have always been choosy when it comes to my roles. It is not every day that you get performance oriented roles and for me, it's never been about the number game. You can go ahead and keep signing films, but I came here to do good films.

I returned to Malayalam cinema only last year with Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonu. It was based on a true story and the person on whom my character was based is still alive. I played a mother of three children in the film.

What made you sign Nannu Nanna Kanasu?

I watched the original, Abhiyum Naanum and was impressed with the way the character offered to me had shaped up. Also I did the film for Prakash Raj who is such a good actor. With this film, I realised that he is a very good technician and director as well.

Both Prakash and I debuted in the Tamil industry with K Balchander's films and I see traces of his school in Prakash. Balachander will be very happy with his direction.

Accepting Nannu Nanna Kanasu was a very good decision. I enjoyed everything about this film; very rarely do you get to work in such films.

Do you have any memorable moments from the film?

I play Prakash's wife and Amoolya's mother in the film. A scene where Prakash and I have a discussion just before the marriage of our daughter somehow moved me. Also there were a few touching father-daughter scenes that reminded me of my father.

What are your other projects?

I have a couple of Telugu films lined up. There is one opposite Srihari. My Gudu Gudu Gunjam with Dr Rajendra Prasad is set for release. It is an out and out comic family entertainer. I am doing Charitram with Raj Kiran in Tamil. There are two more offers in Tamil and I am expected to start work in June.

What about your television projects?

I was a judge on the show Best Actor. That's where I realized talent can come from anywhere. Vanitaratnam, a Malayalam show held for housewives also amazed me. There are so many talented women out there. I have also acted in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam soaps.

Did you always want to become an actress?

Films happened by accident. I never planned to become an actress but it's been 25 years since I came to the industry. I started acting when I was still in school but I took this profession seriously only after doing Balachander's Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal.

What matters is that I am still around. I have done over 125 films and acted in all four south Indian languages. So I can say that probably I was meant to be an actress.

Have you given a thought to direction?

Direction is a very tough job, and moreover there is a lot for me to learn about acting itself.

You have worked with top actors from Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada industries. How have your experiences been?

I debuted opposite Mammootty and Mohanlal in Malayalam and have acted with Rajnikanth in Padayappa. They never treated me like a newcomer. They are very humble. In Kannada I have acted with Ambareesh, Vishnuvardhan, Devraj and Shashikumar.

People liked my pairing with Vishnuvardhan in Halundatavaru. My role in the film was a difficult one and I didn't know the language. Also the dialogues were lengthy. But he was very patient and co-operative. He was a superstar but never made me uncomfortable. Vishnuvardhan was a great actor.

Who are your favourite film personalities?

They are Al Pacino, Richard Gere, Julia Roberts and Anthony Hopkins. I loved Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday. I am a fan of Clint Eastwood too.

Which is your dream role?

I wish to play the kind of roles Meryl Streep essays. Also I am a voracious reader and would definitely be keen to act in films based on novels. I would love to be a part of films that are on the lines of The Notebook and Message in a Bottle (Nicholas Sparks' novels). I am yet to do a role that has completely satisfied the actor in me.

What is your word of advice for aspiring actors?

Commitment, hard work and dedication are the catch words.