Sneha: Most Beautiful, Glamorous, Charming Actress of South Film Industry
It has been said that you are trying a change in your image especially after Pondy. What do you have to say?
Yes. It is true. In Kollywood, people thought about me only wherever there is a homely character. I wanted to change that opinion. That's the reason I chose Pondy where my character was different. The remix song of "Masi masam Aalana Ponnu' was also much talked about. The film recorded success which only goes on to show that audience certainly requires some kind of change from the regular monotony.
Your ambitions..
My greatest ambition is to be called a complete actress. So, I would like to work in characters which challenge my creativity. I want to be the numero uno in the hearts of the audience. They should remember Sneha as a talented actress and I should work in such meaningful films.
How has Achamundu Achamundu shaped up?
Achamundu Achamundu is a lovely subject and is child centric. I act as a responsible mother of a child. When I was working in the film I recalled Shri Abdul Kalam's take on children that one can forget all his worries in the company of children. Director Arun Vaidhyanadan used latest equipments in cinematography and shot for almost a month in the areas of New York and New Jersey. All of us spoke our lines directly on the shooting spot and I have to doubly work hard to get the dialogues and emotions right. We all have worked very hard and I can confidently say that the film is on par with the standards of world cinema and will win awards.
Who is your favorite director?
Thangar Bachchan is one of the fabulous directors of our times. It was such an enriching experience for me during the shooting of Pallikkoodam. Though I had twelve days of shoot for the film, he had transformed me into Kokila the second day itself. He used to discuss about Kokila in such an exhaustible fashion that the character got drilled into me and I started living like Kokila. I learnt so much about emoting and body language. The manner in which he got out the best from me is remarkable. It was such an unforgettable experience.
When can we see you acting as a heroine for Super star Rajnikanth?
Although I had a small cameo in Kuselan, I would still love to do an important role in his film. And I am waiting eagerly for the opportunity.
Could you tell us about your experience with Padmashree Kamalahassan?
I should say that I'm really a gifted person to act along with a legend such as Kamal Hassan. I'm a big fan of kamal and will not miss any of his films from my childhood days. While working with him in "Vasool Raja MBBS", he taught me many things regarding acting. I am very much eager to do more roles with him.
I am very keen to win a national award and I am working towards it. In fact I have told my mom that I can think about marriage only after winning a national award. I want to accomplish some thing in my acting career before settling in marital bliss.
What about your current projects?
Silambaatam with Simbu, Achamundu Achamundu and Aruvadai. Besides these, Vande Matharam in Telugu. I also have Nootrukku Nooru, Vyjayanthi (Bhavani) I P S and Murattu Kalai. Director Thangar Bachchan has asked me for a project which has not been finalized yet.
You refused to act with Simbu in Kaalai but you are working with him in Silambattam. Can you comment on this?
I have nothing against Simbu and I am not afraid to act with him. I did not like the character that was offered to me in Kaalai but liked my role in Silambattam. There are absolutely no other reasons.
As I had said earlier, I felt bored doing the same kind of roles. Vyjayanthi I P S earned Vijayshanthi a good name and when Arthi Kumar approached me for the same role in a remake film, I instantly agreed. The name has been changed to Bhavani. Photo-shoot has been completed and you can see a new Sneha in the film.
What are the places you visited in America?
We had a hectic schedule during the shoot of Achamundu Achamundu and did not have much of a time. But on the final day I visited few places like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and Empire state building.
What do you feel about starring in remake films?
Naan Avanillai directed by Selva was a remake film. I enjoyed working in the film and it earned me a good name. I still have 'Yen enakku Mayakkam' as my ring tone. Generally only popular and successful films are remade as it will have a wider audience base. The treatment of the theme is more important than anything else.
Do you want to take on more glamorous roles just to shed your homely tag?
Glamour is different from vulgarity and I have never appeared vulgar in any of my films. I have always appeared in a way that my fans will enjoy and approve. In fact I have lost many films because of my homely tag.
What is the role of a heroine in Tamil cinema?
Generally, heroines enjoy a lot of respect in the film industry. It does not stem from the role they play. But there is this image issue also. My role in Pudupettai raised a lot of eyebrows. People wondered why I did that role when I am having a different image in the industry. However I wanted to prove that I can do any kind of role. I can do a small role in a serious film. My role should be spoken about. I would also like to be part of a film which will be appreciated in totality, not just my role.
I have done many films and different roles. There might be some streak of the real Sneha in reel films. But I am yet to do a full length film wherein the entire character is so much like the real one. If it happens well and good! I am open to it.
Why have you turned to Telugu?
Oh my! I am presently working only in two Telugu films. I have a number of Tamil films on hand. I am working in ABCD with Shaam, being produced by Saravana Subbiah and Puduppettai with Dhanush being directed by Selvaraghavan. My recent film Chinna is also doing well. I will always be a part of the Tamil industry. I have just become choosy about scripts.
What do you have to say about the competition between you and Trisha in Telugu?
There is no rivalry, just healthy competition. We both get opportunities suited to our capabilities. I prefer doing soft roles.
What about your marriage plans?
I have no conscious plans to say yes right now. I leave it to my parents to choose the right guy for me at the right time.
There is a deluge of girls in Tamil cinema now. Do you feel threatened?
See, I don’t believe in numbers. I have the firm conviction that the audience is the right judge. Only those with talent and attitude can have staying power. They also get good opportunities to showcase their abilities and the audience will never forget such artistes. I prefer to remain etched in the minds of the audience forever.
You play a widow in ABCD…
Yes, it is indeed a very powerful role. I got the full opportunity to stretch my talent and emote well. In Puduppettai also my character is unique. I am pinning my hopes on these two films.
Tell us about your experience of working with Cheran in Autograph.
It was a great learning experience. Cheran is not just a run-of-the-mill director. He can get what he wants from the actors because he is himself a good one. The role of a caring friend who works hard for the success of her pal created a new trend in portraying women in cinema. I am thankful to Cheran for projecting me positively in the film.
Your experience with Kamal.
Oh, he is just simply out of this world. Such passion, such dedication cannot be found in ordinary human beings. He made me see cinema in a new light. He is also a wonderful friend and a great human being.
Will you also consider to act in glamour roles?
First of all, my father did not like me coming into the film industry. Only after my promise of not doing glamour roles in the film, did he let me into this field, I do not want to step away from my promise nor do I like to do glamour stuff. I want to be an example to others by accomplishing good name in the homely characters alone.
Could you discuss with us about Your role in Aayudham?
I am starring as a Brahmin girl in the film. Though I was not born in that community, I am pretty much proud of myself that I got the chance to appear in a Brahmin character. Prashanth stars opposite to me in the film.
Why is there a lot of gap inbetween your film's?
Well, I choose the films based on my character. Instead of appearing in many films and becoming unpopular for want of money, I always prefer good roles instead. That is the reason behind my thin attendance in the film industry.
You have appeared in a horror film "Athu", which talks about evil spirits. Are you not aware that your image might be spoiled because of this?
Many raised this same question before and I had given them their answers. There is no way that my image is spoiled because of my character in the film. There are many heroines who had already done their roles in various films similar to this. I would say that to act in such movies is really a thrilling experience, and there is no way that I would compromise on such a movie.
What about the rest of the gossips circling around you in the cine industry? There are a lot of things which are pouring in about you?
In general actors and actress' would always expect that there should be some news appearing about them in the cine industry. If anything about them appear in the gossip column, they would not mind much. Similarly the press and the media would love to publish news about actor's and actress'. Like you see our fans know our car number better than us because of the media hovering around us. So, the same thing is happening in my case. I couldn't conrol the flow of news around me.