I have changed a lot as a person coming into showbiz and meeting a cross section of people from all walks of life; it was an amazing experience. But that's the privilege I had of being early into showbiz.
Tamannaah
I don't appreciate people who discriminate on the basis of colour.
I'm a die-hard foodie; I'm the girl next door post pack-up, and my best friends aren't from the industry.
Your shoes and bags don't need to match always. It's perfect to be mismatched, too.
In South, the actresses are expected to be fuller, unlike Bollywood. The sensibilities are totally different.
I don't want to sign four films at a time, as acting is an art, and art cannot be done without honesty.
Humshakals totally exist. In fact, I was on one of these social networking websites, and I noticed that there is this entire research done on Hollywood celebrities who look like each other.
With technology, everything is available at the touch of a button. But I'm not someone whose world revolves around trends. I like to be unique in whatever I do.
I love being part of the movie-making process. There is magic. There is an element of mystery and unpredictability.
As an actor, I do not come with preconceived notions. I am like clay that can be moulded or like a sponge that can absorb things. I do what the director wants me to do.
It's a constant quest to push the bar and work in films that allow me to prove what I can do as an artist.
I have seen actresses avoiding food out of fear that beauty would be lost.
I am indeed fortunate to work with some reputed directors like Balaji Sakthivel, Sekhar Kammula, and KV Anand sir. Each one of them has a different style, and every day is a learning experience for me.
When it comes to a character, I make sure that it adds to the plot.
I was offered my first film right after my 10th board exams. Back then, I didn't even know they made films in the South. Films, I thought, were either in Hindi or English.
'100% Love' is not just a film I did; it actually changed me. The film made me confident.
My college life was brief because I started working for my debut film when I was in eleventh standard. But I have no regrets, as I stayed in touch with my friends who keep briefing me about the drama in the college. The opportunity to get into showbiz was so exciting that I couldn't let it pass by.
I've been part of the biggest hits and flops.
There are ups and down in one's career.
Baahubali... ' has been accepted widely amongst Hindi cinema-goers. So this shows that language is becoming less important.
Over the years, I have realised that it takes a great team for a film to succeed.
As a kid, I wanted to be an actress, but ambition and reality are two different things.
I think 'Happy Days' was huge and an unexpected high point of my career. I was a newcomer at that time, and I was fortunate to get such a role in the film. 'Paiyya' was another highpoint, as it opened up Kollywood for me.
Even if one is not a great actor, just being in front of the camera requires a lot of effort.
I don't think I need to wear a bikini to attract the audience. I will not do that.
I did feel bad when 'Himmatwala' and 'Humshakals' didn't work, but I have moved on.
I like Hyderabad Biriyani, and when I go to Hyderabad, I have biriyani without fail in the hotels.
Treat your skin with natural homemade stuff that gives it respite from chemicals.
While I am a teetotaller in real life, I would hate to pass any judgments on what actresses should do or not do.
Being appreciated for playing a female warrior seems too good to be true. I enjoy playing such empowered roles, and on a related note, that's why I agreed to become the brand ambassador for the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.
I am getting better offers since directors feel that I am versatile and can be more than just a girl next door. I am also seriously trying not to be repetitive.
Yes, I charge a certain remuneration fee, and yes, producers do pay me that sum. But if I didn't deserve it, why would somebody pay me an exorbitant amount?
People think actresses have fame and money, but they are not aware of the difficulties we undergo. People should understand that we are sacrificing so much for our survival.
I'm a fan of commercial films.
When I started doing Hindi films, I did not know much about fashion. I got to know about it when people criticised my fashion sense.
Despite a good subject if the director is not up to the mark, the execution can go wrong.
I don't wear clothes that I am not comfortable with - clothes will not get you popularity.
As far as the industries go, in the North, they think I'm a South Indian actress; down South, I've always been thought of as a Bombay girl. I guess it's sort of an identity crisis, even though I'd like to belong to all the industries.
To become a better actor, one needs to look inwards and understand oneself better. Then, you can create magic on screen.
My personal dressing is inspired by my mood and mindset. I can jump from a girl-next-door to runway queen. I'm a T-shirt-and-jeans kind of a woman. But I also enjoy the red carpet look.
Thanks to a film like 'Baahubali' in my career, directors have the faith in me that I can play all kinds of characters, and I also have faith in me now that I can also do all kinds of roles, and I am doing that.
I feel that to a great extent, the industry is fixated with fair skin, and that needs to change.
It was never a conscious decision to stay away from Telugu cinema.
For me, films have always meant entertainment.
Out of sheer respect for the people I look up to in the industry, I do say 'yes' to projects at times. It helps me learn a lot. Also, if I am playing a small role in a good, content-driven film, I say yes to it. But there have been times when I said 'no' to films because I was not convinced with the content.
People love talking about how much an actor makes. A lot of headline space is dedicated to this.
I'm not a hit machine.
I completely follow my gut and do what I like doing. I have become impulsive in a good way. I am taking creative risks as an actor.
It's high time the film industry stopped treating fair skin as a parameter of beauty. You could be the fairest of them all, but if you have a wicked soul, you aren't beautiful at all. So, skin colour doesn't define a person's beauty.
I can memorise Tamil lines fast. I feel at home speaking the language.
