For me, Malayalam films remain the most important. I don't want to do more Tamil films just for the sake of it.
Since I grew up in Palakkad, I am comfortable speaking both Tamil and Malayalam.
I am open to working in all southern language - Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.
In Tamil or Malayalam, there was a time when light films ruled. Then, a spate of drama or women-oriented stunt films followed.
I have never been someone who chooses a film according to the language. Since I am comfortable with Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam, the scope of the film is all that matters to me.
Tamil films have to be faster than a Malayalam film but not as fast as a Hindi film.
My thought process is in Malayalam. So, every time I have to work outside Malayalam, the process is a little stressful. I have to translate my Malayalam thoughts into English and back to Tamil.
I am more comfortable with Tamil than Hindi.
I had a smooth take-off in Malayalam, I would like to explore more and take up films that are different in Tamil.
But I've always admired Tamil and Malayalam films, and language isn't a barrier for me.
Having done movies in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, I have been accepted both in North and down South. I don't believe in divisions. I like to believe that I am working in the Indian film industry.
My place is cemented in Malayalam films. Malayalam is not my language and it felt alien to me. But for them, I am someone from Karnataka who could deliver.
I respect Malayalam films the same way I respect Bengali films. I think Malayalam films have not compromised on the essence and have kept their own statement and are coming up with very good themes.
I am a Malayali who was brought up in Chennai. I know both Malayalam and Tamil.
Now that I am an adult, I'm very comfortable in my own skin. I'm a lot more settled down and I learnt to just be comfortable with where I'm at, rather than always wanting to be somewhere ahead of where I am.
I am not familiar with Telugu, Tamil or Malayalam and tend to feel they are foreign languages to me.