Radhika Apte in a still from Kabali.
Chennai:
To be part of a Rajinikanth film is something every actor longs for. So when actress Radhika Apte got the opportunity to be paired opposite the superstar, in the much-awaited Kabali, she jumped at it. In an exclusive chat, the actor reveals how she landed the role and the experience of working with the charismatic Rajinikanth.
How Kabali happened
Playing the character of Kumudhavalli, Radhika is the love interest of Rajinikanth who plays an ageing don with a flashback story. So how did Radhika land this role? "Director Pa Ranjith had seen some of my work and thought my look suited the part. One day I received a call from him saying he wanted to cast me. I flew to Chennai and we finalised everything in a day. It happened very fast. I'm very grateful that they made me a part of this prestigious project," says Radhika.
The film has a young Rajinikanth in the flashback portions and the posters showing Rajinikanth and Radhika together weave a compelling story of their own. Being a new age director with films like Attakathi and Madras in the pipeline, Mr Ranjith is known for films with several layers. So how did the Radhika prepare for her role? Radhika says, "The subject of Kabali is very critical in this context. I wasn't aware of many details and hence my preparation involved getting to know about the issue dealt with in the film and the culture that is a part of the movie. And of course, the Tamil language as well. Director Ranjith and Jenny, his assistant, helped me a lot in understanding the dialogues with the deeper subtext involved. Ranjith is a great director to work with, very passionate about his work and with an independent style of approaching a project. I like his sincerity and focus."
Getting that emotional connect
What was the most challenging part of playing Kumudhavalli? Says she, "My character is very crucial to the film and the film has a great emotional connect. The most challenging part was to convey the connect very strongly so that people can take that journey with you. It's not just entertainment. It was a lot more to say."
Ask her about her biggest takeaway from working in Kabali and she discloses, "It's a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of a project like Kabali. It's a very content-driven script and very important a subject to be addressed." And the biggest factor of them all, the Rajinikanth factor, is what makes the movie unforgettable for her. Says she, "Rajni sir is as big as it gets. He is an extreme professional, down-to-earth and warm human being. There is so much to learn from him simply by observing him on and off camera. I've had one of the best experiences working with him."
Recalling the first shot she had with the superstar, Radhika reveals, "He was warm and friendly from the first day I met him. He treated me with such equality that I never felt nervous. I always felt like a professional actor. The first scene I shot with him had many lines for me so I went very prepared. He was appreciative and encouraging throughout." Their equation extended between shots too, when she got time to interact with him on a personal note, "We chatted about so many things. Films, our home town, family, the industry, places we have visited, people we have met. The whole experience will always remain with me."
Bowled over by Rajinikanth
For any actor, working in a Rajinikanth film is a milestone in their career. Radhika too has been touched by the Rajinikanth magic, "He is a very unique personality and everything one has heard about his generosity and kindness is true. I'm very grateful to have worked with him and to know him. Kabali is a massive project and the way producer Kalaipuli S Dhanu sir made me a part of it, was very touching. He has immense respect for his team, including the actors and he is so committed to the core of the film, which has made the film what it is."
Kabali is releasing on July 22nd in 4 languages.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
How Kabali happened
Image courtesy: iflickz.com.
Playing the character of Kumudhavalli, Radhika is the love interest of Rajinikanth who plays an ageing don with a flashback story. So how did Radhika land this role? "Director Pa Ranjith had seen some of my work and thought my look suited the part. One day I received a call from him saying he wanted to cast me. I flew to Chennai and we finalised everything in a day. It happened very fast. I'm very grateful that they made me a part of this prestigious project," says Radhika.
The film has a young Rajinikanth in the flashback portions and the posters showing Rajinikanth and Radhika together weave a compelling story of their own. Being a new age director with films like Attakathi and Madras in the pipeline, Mr Ranjith is known for films with several layers. So how did the Radhika prepare for her role? Radhika says, "The subject of Kabali is very critical in this context. I wasn't aware of many details and hence my preparation involved getting to know about the issue dealt with in the film and the culture that is a part of the movie. And of course, the Tamil language as well. Director Ranjith and Jenny, his assistant, helped me a lot in understanding the dialogues with the deeper subtext involved. Ranjith is a great director to work with, very passionate about his work and with an independent style of approaching a project. I like his sincerity and focus."
Getting that emotional connect
Image courtesy: iflickz.com.
What was the most challenging part of playing Kumudhavalli? Says she, "My character is very crucial to the film and the film has a great emotional connect. The most challenging part was to convey the connect very strongly so that people can take that journey with you. It's not just entertainment. It was a lot more to say."
Ask her about her biggest takeaway from working in Kabali and she discloses, "It's a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of a project like Kabali. It's a very content-driven script and very important a subject to be addressed." And the biggest factor of them all, the Rajinikanth factor, is what makes the movie unforgettable for her. Says she, "Rajni sir is as big as it gets. He is an extreme professional, down-to-earth and warm human being. There is so much to learn from him simply by observing him on and off camera. I've had one of the best experiences working with him."
Recalling the first shot she had with the superstar, Radhika reveals, "He was warm and friendly from the first day I met him. He treated me with such equality that I never felt nervous. I always felt like a professional actor. The first scene I shot with him had many lines for me so I went very prepared. He was appreciative and encouraging throughout." Their equation extended between shots too, when she got time to interact with him on a personal note, "We chatted about so many things. Films, our home town, family, the industry, places we have visited, people we have met. The whole experience will always remain with me."
Bowled over by Rajinikanth
Image courtesy: iflickz.com.
For any actor, working in a Rajinikanth film is a milestone in their career. Radhika too has been touched by the Rajinikanth magic, "He is a very unique personality and everything one has heard about his generosity and kindness is true. I'm very grateful to have worked with him and to know him. Kabali is a massive project and the way producer Kalaipuli S Dhanu sir made me a part of it, was very touching. He has immense respect for his team, including the actors and he is so committed to the core of the film, which has made the film what it is."
Kabali is releasing on July 22nd in 4 languages.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
