SEN and the art of living

As Aayirathil Oruvan inches its way to the finishline, Reema Sen speaks to t. krithika reddy about her all-consuming role in Selvaraghavan’s magnum opus

Life isn’t a fairy tale. And Reema Sen knows it best. Having been through the bumpy roads of showbiz, the sunny star lets the success of her past sit lightly on her slender shoulders and looks forward to the release of director Selvaraghavan 217;s much-delayed dream project Aayirathil Oruvan.

“There’s a lot written about the film and its delay. But Aayirathil Oruvan is not an easy film to shoot. It’s an ensemble film with a larger-than-life canvas. It might sound clichéd, but I have to admit, it’s a different film. It’s something that has not been attempted before.”

Fulfilling experience

Talk about the bubble-gum-like shooting schedules, and Reema replies in a matter-of-fact tone, “Yes, the film has been in the making for over 250 days; so naturally, it takes its toll on the people involved with it. I feel exhilarated and at the same time exasperated. But as an actor, it’s a fulfilling experience. Every scene is a challenge. I play a heavy-duty role — unlike my past breezy appearances. The second half of the film is particularly powerful. It demands an intense delineation of the character I play. At one point, I dropped half a kilo every day on the sets! It’s is an all-consuming role.”

Scotching rumours relating to the bad time on the sets, she says, “I don’t understand why Selva is made out to be a baddie who is unreasonably demanding. I’ve known him for a long time, and we vibe well. Yes, he is a perfectionist who keeps us on our toes, but I’ve no problem with that. In fact, not many know his other side — he has a great sense of humour. His one-liners are terrific. Any film is the director’s vision. Actors are there to make it work.”

Reticent when it comes to divulging details about the film, the actor, who electrified the staid world of Tamil films with Minnalae, says, “Aayirathil Oruvan revolves around four key characters. It travels back and forth in time, and explores a gamut of emotions. The script is original and not a rip-off from famous Hollywood films as rumoured.”

Quite unlike the technicolour world of films, Reema explains that life comes in black and white. “There are only two things that matter to me — right or wrong. I can’t see the grey. I take time to choose a film. But when I do, I’m honest with it. When I signed Aayirathil Oruvan, I did not expect that it would be such a serious role. The detailing was only on Selva’s mind, he did not want us to feel burdened by the weight of our roles. There were days when I felt mentally and physically worn out. Now that it’s drawing to a close, I look forward to doing a light, feel-good film. I know I’ve committed mistakes in choosing the right role. But I’ve learnt from the Vallavan experience. A film might be commercially viable, but it must not make me feel awkward when I look back.”

Reema entered Kollywood dew-fresh, in 2001. Having courted the camera for scores of ad films and music videos, she asserts she is a “spontaneous actor who doesn’t believe in homework.” From the mushy Minnalae to the mature Chellamae, she fine-tuned her acting skills on her seven-year journey featuring surges and pauses. Breaking away from cliché-ridden roles, she gave the nod to Aayirathil Oruvan hoping the film will take her notches up the acting ladder. Soon, she will take up Priyadarshan’s Malaamal Weekly 2.

Switching to a pensive mode, she says cinema has taught her the art of living. “Initially, I just went with the flow. But stumbling blocks made me sit up and think. Cinema is not all. I think there’s a lot to life than just a successful career. I’ve learnt to look beyond films — at my other interests, family and friends. Life is an ice-cream; you must enjoy it before it melts.”