'I almost drowned while shooting for Routine Love Story'

Actress Regina Cassandra has done numerous advertisments in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, has been a part of short films like Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi (which was developed into a feature film with Siddharth and Amala Paul later) and feature films like Suryakanthi (Kannada), Kanda Naal Mudhal (Tamil) and Siva Manasulo Shruti (Telugu).

Her latest Telugu film Routine Love Story (helmed by Praveen Sattaru and music scored by Mickey J Meyer) releases this Friday, November 23.

Regina chats with Radhika Rajamani about her film, and more.

What attracted you to Routine Love Story (RLS)?

I always believed in three things -- director, script and character. When Praveen narrated the script, it was quite relatable. I enjoyed it. There's nothing as good as being a part of what you enjoy.

Had you seen Life before Wedding (LBW) and heard of Praveen Sattaru before you signed the film?

What's your role in the film?

The character I play is a normal 17-year old girl, who is a little immature but thinks she is mature. She is quite independent because she has some family issues.

She is a college-going girl from a rich family. She loves dressing up and is innocent. When the hero enters her life, she realises a lot of things.

What made you sign the film?

I signed the film because it is realistic. There are songs but they are montages woven with the script. Besides the two lead actors, there are others like Snigdha, Narasimha and Bharat too who are involved in the film. It's a family entertainer which different age groups will be able to relate to.

How was your comedy timing with Sundeep, your co-star?

Sundeep and I got on nicely. Both of us are from Chennai and we have common friends who are not from the industry.

We did a lot of rehearsals. When we went on the sets, we were in our characters and we jelled well.

How was it working with Praveen?

I liked Praveen's way of thinking and writing. I realised our wavelengths were similar. He gave me the freedom to add what I wanted and there was liberty to improvise.

How did you feel when you were also washed away in the fourth degree rapids in Rishikesh?

I almost drowned and saw the gates of heaven or hell -- whatever you may call it! I stopped thinking where I was going. I blacked out and I didn't know how I got back on to the raft.

This is one scene where Sundeep (the hero of the film) and I had to fight with the villain. We had to walk in the water and do it. We were wearing trekking shoes. Since the water was cold, my feet fell numb and I couldn't feel them!

How was it acting in your second Telugu film?

I had a ball of a time. It was not something where I had to work hard. I liked the way we did all this. It was fun. All the actors were interacting and talking. It was an experience.

Your performance in SMS was appreciated. What made you choose it as you debut film?

I liked the Tamil versions of the film (Siva Manasula Sakthi). I liked the girl's role. I was a bit apprehensive about the second half though. The director told me that he had changed the second half to suit the Telugu nativity and then I said I would love to be a part of this.

When you have choices, you go with the best. That role had quite a bit of screen space.

Do you like doing Telugu films even though you are from Tamil Nadu?

I don't understand why people say Telugu films or Tamil films. A film is a film whatever language it is in. I don't see why language should be a barrier. I am an actor and would like to work in a film irrespective of the language.

How did you cope with Telugu?

I didn't have a problem. I had amazing assistant directors who sat with me to see I got my lines.

Were you always interested in acting?

Yes, I was always interested but I don't know exactly when I actually got excited about it. The choice was between Psychology and acting. My mom wanted me to finish my graduation and I did it. I came from a non-filmi background. I did films in between my studies whereby I kept in touch. I also did short films before SMS happened.

What are your future projects?

I'm doing a Tamil film called Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga directed by Pandiaraj with Siva Karthikeyan which is likely to release next year. In Telugu I'm listening to scripts and I have not yet decided.