What Sridevi will do, if she doesn’t get ‘inspiring’ offers
Subhash K Jha (DNA; September 30, 2015)
Sridevi has been one to buck trends. From everything from a Sadma to a Khuda Gawah to a Lamhe and more lately, English Vinglish. While she was born and brought up in Chennai and even started her film career there, she has only recently done a Tamil film called Puli, which will be dubbed in Hindi. In a candid chat, the actress talks about her plans ahead, how she rues not being able to converse with her daughters in Tamil and more.
Why Puli?
There were other offers, but I decided to do Puli because it seemed like the right project and was completely different from English Vinglish. At this stage of my life I don’t need to go out and work unless it’s something that I am enthusiastic about.
So what grabbed your attention in Puli?
It was the whole ambience of fantasy-adventure. I haven’t done one of those for a very long time.
You had done Chandramukhi with Salman Khan?
Chandramukhi was partly a fantasy-adventure. But not entirely. This one takes us fully into the genre. I wanted to do something like this. I’ve made my choice.
Were there any problems doing a Tamil film after 29 years?
Why should it be a problem? I’ve done numerous films in Tamil in the past. I’ve spent a major part of my life in Chennai. I was born and brought up there. Even now I often go to Chennai. I have relatives and friends there.
Do you get to speak Tamil at home in Mumbai?
No, I don’t. And that’s something I miss. Unfortunately, my daughters don’t speak Tamil. But I’ve my Tamilian staff whom I talk to, in the language. Though my mother-tongue is Telugu, I’ve spent most of my life in Chennai and Mumbai.
Why don’t we get to see more of you on screen?
At this stage of my life, I don’t need to go out and work unless I am excited about what’s offered to me. To leave my home and children and go out and work, spending the entire day on a set, should be worth my while. Otherwise what is the need? Why should I do it?
What after Puli?
It all depends on the offers I get. If I like something, I may do a film immediately. If nothing inspires me, I may stay away for five years.
Any dream role left for you?
I can’t think of any role that I dream about now. But yes, my character in English Vinglish was something I could have never imagined playing. It just fell into my lap.
But surely there is somebody you’d like to play?
I am sure there are many beautiful characters waiting for me to be played. What I want to play now is any role that I haven’t done before.