The child in me is very excited to watch myself in Mani sir's film: Chaithra J Achar
Chaithra J Achar is still soaking in the experience of working with Mani Ratnam on Inji Vellam , which also features Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi . Having wrapped up shooting for the film, the actress is now on the sets of Fauzi, starring Prabhas, which is in its final leg of production. Both projects have been special experiences, she says, particularly because of the people she has had the opportunity to work with. "I just want to explore every woman that exists and all sorts of genres," she states.
Recalling the reactions of her friends in the Kannada film industry when she told them she was part of a Mani Ratnam film, Chaithra says, "The moment I took his name, they were like, 'Oh my god! Mani Ratnam.' He offered me a very special role. What more can I ask for when the man himself calls and says, "There is a role, and I want you to play it"? I'm waiting to watch myself in his film. The child in me is very excited. Most of my portions were with Vijay Sethupathi sir. It was an amazing, passionate environment. No one threw any attitude, which, in turn, kept me grounded."
'THE GRANDEUR OF FAUZI'S SETS AND THE SCALE ARE NEW TO ME'
Chaithra is equally excited about Fauzi, directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, who made Sita Ramam. "It's exciting because I get to work with Hanu Raghavapudi sir. He made Sita Ramam with Dulquer Salmaan, which is an amazing film. The grandeur of the sets and the scale of this film are new to me," she says.
She also appreciates the encouragement she has received from co-star Prabhas. "Whenever I get to the set, Prabhas sir says, 'I saw that shot. It's so good. You wait and see; you're going to get whistles.' It's lovely to work with people like him because they uplift those around them. It gives you such a warm feeling and motivates you to enjoy what you're doing. I grew up watching these film- makers and actors, and now, I get to work with them," she says.
'I watched Mani Ratnam sir's entire filmography in a week' Chaithra vividly remembers preparing for her first meeting with the filmmaker. "I had watched two or three of his films, including his first, Pallavi Anu Pallavi. But I thought I should know his filmography before meeting him, and treated it like an assignment. So, I watched three of his films every day and finished his entire filmography in a week."
Their first conversation, however, had little to do with the film. "We spoke about how he made the children act in Anjali. We didn't discuss my role at all. It was a very casual, lovely conversation. We spoke for about 40-50 minutes, and then he said, "I will keep you posted. In my head, I thought he could call anyone to act. So, if he had called me, it was very validating. It
made me look back at the choices I had made in terms of films and characters, and how they had brought me here," she says.
"Even on the first day of the shoot, I wondered whether he had watched any of my films or had called me because someone had suggested my name. So, I asked him if he had seen any of my films. He said, 'Of course, I have. Why else would I call you?' He had watched Sapta Saagaradaache Ello: Side B and had such lovely things to say about my portrayal of the character," she says.
Recalling the reactions of her friends in the Kannada film industry when she told them she was part of a Mani Ratnam film, Chaithra says, "The moment I took his name, they were like, 'Oh my god! Mani Ratnam.' He offered me a very special role. What more can I ask for when the man himself calls and says, "There is a role, and I want you to play it"? I'm waiting to watch myself in his film. The child in me is very excited. Most of my portions were with Vijay Sethupathi sir. It was an amazing, passionate environment. No one threw any attitude, which, in turn, kept me grounded."
'THE GRANDEUR OF FAUZI'S SETS AND THE SCALE ARE NEW TO ME'
Chaithra is equally excited about Fauzi, directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, who made Sita Ramam. "It's exciting because I get to work with Hanu Raghavapudi sir. He made Sita Ramam with Dulquer Salmaan, which is an amazing film. The grandeur of the sets and the scale of this film are new to me," she says.
She also appreciates the encouragement she has received from co-star Prabhas. "Whenever I get to the set, Prabhas sir says, 'I saw that shot. It's so good. You wait and see; you're going to get whistles.' It's lovely to work with people like him because they uplift those around them. It gives you such a warm feeling and motivates you to enjoy what you're doing. I grew up watching these film- makers and actors, and now, I get to work with them," she says.
'I watched Mani Ratnam sir's entire filmography in a week' Chaithra vividly remembers preparing for her first meeting with the filmmaker. "I had watched two or three of his films, including his first, Pallavi Anu Pallavi. But I thought I should know his filmography before meeting him, and treated it like an assignment. So, I watched three of his films every day and finished his entire filmography in a week."
Their first conversation, however, had little to do with the film. "We spoke about how he made the children act in Anjali. We didn't discuss my role at all. It was a very casual, lovely conversation. We spoke for about 40-50 minutes, and then he said, "I will keep you posted. In my head, I thought he could call anyone to act. So, if he had called me, it was very validating. It
"Even on the first day of the shoot, I wondered whether he had watched any of my films or had called me because someone had suggested my name. So, I asked him if he had seen any of my films. He said, 'Of course, I have. Why else would I call you?' He had watched Sapta Saagaradaache Ello: Side B and had such lovely things to say about my portrayal of the character," she says.
Next Story