New Delhi: Actress Madhu talks about her new release, Kannappa, working with Akshay Kumar and Mohanlal, Deepika Padukone, and wants to be part of the remake of Hema Malini’s Seeta Aur Geeta
Q. How did Kannappa happen to you?
Kannappa happened to me. I have to really think about how it happened to me. It just came to me, and that is my thing. It’s just people calling me. Inquired about me. My manager is from the South. He went and met them, and the next thing I knew, I was doing the full, and as it always occurs, I often don’t know what I am accepting. What is it that I’m a part of? I just felt it was good. It was a Mohan Babu home production. It’ll be good. Vishnu is making it, and it it would just be amazing to be a part of it. And the thing that sold me on it was that they said you’re going to be the queen warrior of your tribe. There’s a tribe, an only-female tribe, and you’re going to be the queen of that tribe, and there’s something about that one line that you know there was a clan of women clients back in the day, in the old days, in the historical times, in the mythological times. There was a concept that there was a kingdom full of women and led by a woman warrior; that concept sold me on it..
Q. Working with Akshay Kumar again after a long time, what kind of change did you find in him? Did the bonding happen
A. Working with Akshay actually would be great, but as happy as I am to be in the same film as him after so many years, I would have to say this, I didn’t share screen space with him, so I did not really work with him in the same frame, but having said that, I met him during one of the pre-promotion events, and it was great to have the same friendly bonding that we once shared, and he was always a lighthearted, funny guy, and he remains to be so even now; he is kind and very easy. There’s a lot of ease around him. You know that is the difference between a new and an old, established, experienced actor because when you’re new to the industry, you know there is a lot to prove, the way you come forward, the way you appear, the way you dress, the way you present yourself, and the way you talk to people. It is all about the enthusiasm that you put forth, but when you belong to a place, when you have been in the place for a long time, there is an ease; there is an acceptance. There is a comfort. The spirit of competitiveness is not there, and all that I sensed and felt in Akshay.
Q. Of course, Prabhas and Mohanlal are in it. How was it working with them?
A. I’m super proud to be in the same film as Mohaan Lal G after so many years and, of course, the superstar Prabhas. I was recently at an event pre-release event of Kannapa and Prabha was not there but just his mention the rousing claps that everyone received by just saying Prabha that even I use his name to get some claps for myself when I was on stage I said guys show me love give me love show me some warm and appreciation please and Actor love to hear a resounding sound of claps applause because it makes you feel wonderfully loved and accepted so I said guys please show me some love and yes I did receive but I didn’t get that same loud thundering noise so I also said should I press the magic button and then I said that just the name Prabha and then it went the claps for me so he truly is a superstar and I’m very very happy to be a part of this film with such amazingly you know great actors and stars. It just feels wonderful to be a part of this Kannappa universe.
Q. You have made a comeback, and what is that change you have seen when it comes to women in cinema? And I cannot help but ask if you think Deepika, who is a new mother, is justified in asking for an 8-hour shift, and also the way Sandeep Vanga Reddy reacted to it?
A. You know, everybody has been saying that in every film of mine that comes back, people say this is my comeback. Last year, a film of mine was released called Khatau Bhakta. It was a Hindi release purely in the theatres, and then before that, I had the Amazon Prime release, Sweet Kaaram Coffee. I’ve had a ZEE5 release, Fireflies Parth & Juggnu, and I’ve had many films actually, including Thalavi and so on and so forth, so by no means is this my comeback. I would just like to say that in each and every year that goes by, each and every project that comes and goes, I am more and more fully, I would call myself a professional actor because that’s what I am now. I know more than just taking a few hours or a few days out of my busy life as a family person, and doing this as a hobby. Acting is my passion, and I am at a stage in my life where I can really try and create different characters. I take challenging roles and see if I can pull them off. It’s not about Madhoo being Madhu now I would like to be Madhu as Panna Madhu as whatever character that comes to me and for that even if I have to go through a physical transformation I would attempt that even though that’s something that I have never thought of so by no means this is my comeback but this is yet another film of mind releasing and for me having been outside the industry for so many years and not even sure that I’m gonna act again and coming back tentatively and to see my name on the screen which was my original dream 3540 years ago as a kid to see myself my name on the screen to see that again to have that opportunity again and again is I’m extremely grateful and gratitude is the only Emotion I would like to say that I like to practice so yeah that is my feeling towards my release of Kannapa and the status of a woman in the industry well as our society shifts so does our movies and movies are a reflection of our suicidal psyche and mindset women in society today.
Today, women are extremely empowered or on the journey of empowerment, and so are the movies. If these conversations are happening about priority timings, etc., it goes to show that women are prioritising their health, their bodies, their needs, and themselves, so that is what this whole controversy, or any talk or any conversation, is all about; it’s not about the conversation of the debate. It goes to show where we are as a society. What is the place of women in society? Hence, what is acceptable and not acceptable is coming out, so I’m very, very proud to witness this time because I come from a time when these things didn’t even exist in our psyche. We didn’t even think we could think like that, so I’ve been a part of that industry, and now to be a part of this industry where women are so asking for what they need, it’s not controversial. It’s not a conflict. It is not in dispute. It is saying I need this and to have the freedom and courage to do so. I’m very proud, so handsome. I’m very proud of those names that come out. In this case, it is Deepika, and the conversation is happening about her working hours, and I strictly say this is a personal choice. Each one decides what he or she needs in their life, and they can ask for it and work around it, and as with everything else, it is also a negotiation. Like we negotiate a fee, you negotiate your hours. I need this many hours to work and this many hours to rest, and if the other person agrees, then it is great; if not, even that is okay, because you have the other option, and so does he, so it’s all about choice and having the right to express your choice.
When I worked in Roja, I don’t think I worked out of my head. All I knew, as I said, is that I have a dream of becoming an actor, and I want to be an actor, whatever comes my way. I just took it up, and I did it, and as my luck, as my grace, as my blessings might be, everything that I did in the beginning of my career was talked about and was usually beneficial and was a big hit appreciated by critics and audiences and everyone else, so I would like to say that I am just fortunate, and I got a Raja. I got to work with the greats like Balachander, like Mr. Money Rana, and so many other people, so I just got lucky. I was just there at the right time at the right place, and I’m very, very grateful for that.
Q. You are also playing Haseena Parkar in Samir Karnik’s project. Tell me about it.
A. No, I am not playing Haseena Parkar.
Q. Kannappa is set in the second century. Was there a reference given to you for your character
A. The reference given to me was a tribal queen who lived in the natural environment back in the day. The only thing that attracted me greatly to this role was my being a warrior queen. I have never done a war scene, and I was super excited to wheel the sword and practice those scenes and execute them and to also feel that I am the queen, and it’s a queen of a just, women-oriented clan, and back in the day in the second century, as you say, do you have a clan that was full of women and ruled by women itself? It felt very powerful and empowering
Q. Hema Malini has stopped directing. Do you think she should come back, and are there any films of hers that you think should be remade, and would you do it?
A. I do not know why Hema G is not directing or acting, but she is an inspiration, and she never says no to anything. I’m sure if she has an opportunity or the time, she would take up anything. It could be directly introducing acting, and she’s a lady; she’s a woman who can do anything and everything. I have great respect for her, and yes, I would love to create her iconic role of Sita Geeta, of all the roles that she has done. I just love Sita Geeta the most. I don’t know what it is about the Geeta part of it, I love it. I just love it.