Post-'Pellichoopulu,' I received a lot of offers from Tamil industry. I decided I won't do a Tamil film unless I know the language. If I want to do it, I wanted to do it perfectly.
In school I was sidelined by Tamil language teachers. But in the film industry, I got interested in Tamil poetry after reading and working with the Vairamuthu.
I prefer the Telugu film industry, as women are respected more than they are in the Tamil film industry. In Tamil cinema, they care only about their hero, who is God.
Richie' is so special to me. It's because this was the first Tamil film that I had auditioned for. I did not know the language well. I was an absolute newcomer. But I had the determination to speak in Tamil, as it was a very good role and I didn't want to let it go.
I love acting in Tamil cinema. I have decided quite consciously to do at least one good film every year in Tamil.
Luckily, 'Rakta Charitra' did well in the South and I started getting a lot offers from the Tamil and Telegu film industry.
When I entered the industry, I wanted to work with good directors like Mani Ratnam and Gautam Menon; that's why I did Tamil films. I realised later that I was not adding anything to the Tamil scripts and that it was a waste of time for me.
Hindi film industry makes film for the rest of the world. Tamil films are watched by Malay people. When a film is not bound by a language, why should an actor be?
Human beings around the world have to be taught to go, 'Tamil equals Tamil civilians first, and the Tamil Tiger is a separate thing.' And both of those groups are different. It's like a square and a circle.
I took up Tamil films because I'm a big fan of Mani Ratnam. I thought maybe he'll notice me if I act in a Tamil film.
For someone who has no connect with Tamil Nadu, the language or the film industry and to be welcomed by some amazing names purely for my talent feels really great.
State unit of BJP will protect the rights of Tamil Nadu people and we will not back off from our attempts to bring glory to Tamil language.
I am an actor and I don't have any language barrier. If I get a Tamil film, I will learn the language. It's not a problem.
I have never left the Tamil film industry and have always maintained that I'm open to good projects. I have not restricted myself to any one industry.
Through Tamil movie 'Kanchana' I wanted to convey the pain and struggles of transgenders and the movie received lot of appreciation from transgender's community and the public.
'Richie' was my first Tamil audition and first Tamil film.
I am delighted to have won a place in both Tamil and Telugu film industry.