Sneha turns film producer!

Aishwarya Devan, the pretty young actress who is just past eighteen, has made her debut in Malayalam with the Prithviraj starrer ‘Simhasanam’. Aishwarya sounds raring to go, when Balcony Beats confronts her with a rapid fire round of questions. Confident, positive and quite self-assured, here is Aishwarya in ‘Balcony Baatein’, where she talks about her booming career, co-stars and life in general!

BB: At the outset, a word of appreciation is due to you Aishwarya! I’d seen ‘Simhasanam’ in the theatres yesterday, and I should say you have done a good job! Congratulations!

Aishwarya: Thank you so much!

BB: Where are you basically from? Are you a Malayali, by any chance?

Aishwarya: Yes! I’m basically a Malayali, but have been settled in Bangalore for a very long time. My mom hails from Shornur, and my dad’s from Bangalore.

BB: How did films happen to you?

Aishwarya: I was busy pursuing my studies, when I was offered my first film. I was in the twelfth grade, to be precise.

BB: As much as this one happens to be a clichéd question, let me ask you this. Have you been fascinated by films all the while?

Aishwarya: Oh yes! I have always wanted to be in films, and have been quite attracted towards modeling and movies, right from the start. I should say I have been quite fortunate that I find myself today where I have always wanted to be!

BB: Which was your first movie? Could you tell us a little bit about it?

Aishwarya: I made my debut through a Telugu movie ‘Keratam’. I was paired with Siddharth Rajkumar, who was also being launched into films through this movie. It was directed by Gautham Patnaik, brother of music director RP Patnaik. The film made it to the theatres last year.

BB: We also heard that you have done a couple of Tamil films already! Now that is quite an achievement!

Aishwarya: Yes! My first Tamil film was of course ‘Yuvan’, which was the Tamil remake of the Kannada film ‘Josh’. I am also doing another film ‘Kandupidi Kandupidi’ that has been directed by Rama Subburaman. It’s a crime thriller that has Seeman, Murali and Tharun Kshatriya in key roles.

BB: How did the ‘Simhasanam’ offer come your way?

Aishwarya: Diphan Sir, renowned Malayalam film director, happens to be a very good friend of mine. He happened to see my pictures on Facebook, and was impressed. It was him, who introduced me to Shaji Kailas, who was on the lookout for a heroine for ‘Simhasanam’.

BB: ‘Simhasanam’, from the looks and sound of it, must have struck you as a film that is bound to be all about muscles and clout. Were you comfortable with the thought of doing a female lead in a male-dominated scenario as this?

Aishwarya: I do accept that it’s an action film, but I was glad that there was ample scope for the women characters to perform in it. Being a high voltage action film, I’m delighted that I could do what I have done in ‘Simhasanam’.

BB: The Malayali audience got to see you first in the ‘Omaya Omaya’ song that has turned out to be a hit. Tell us about your experience of working with Prithviraj.

Aishwarya: It was absolutely fantastic! Prithvi is very friendly and downright cooperative. He never even for a moment, made me feel that I was working with such a big star! He was very helpful, and I should say that I had a great time working with him.

BB: At the moment, you are busy with the Tamil version of the Malayalam film ‘Traffic’. Have you seen the original film? Which is the role that you would be playing in the Tamil film?

Aishwarya: Oh yes! I have watched the Malayalam film, and really loved it. I play the character that was played by Roma in the Malayalam version. I’m greatly excited to be a part of ‘Naangu Vazhi Salai’.

BB: I’d say you are extremely lucky to have been able to work in three major film industries down South – Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. As an actor, what are the major differences that you have observed between the three?

Aishwarya: I’d say there are no differences as such between these three industries. I guess it all depends on one’s outlook; the way you look at them. As for me, I have barely started out, and I should say that I am very fortunate to have been able to work with such huge names in the industry, be it stars like Prithviraj or directors like Shaji Kailas. In ‘Naangu Vazhi Salai’, I get to be in a film that has such great actors as Sarath Kumar and Prakash Raj in it. Great film makers, actors and scripts; I’m tremendously privileged to be working with them.

BB: Tell me the actor whom you are dying to work with!

Aishwarya: (laughs) I was dying to work with Prithviraj, and I did get to work with him in ‘Simhasanam’! And yes, I’d love to work with Mammootty, Mohanlal and Jayaram!

 BB: Who is it that you have in your mind that you would like to model your work and career on?

Aishwarya: I admire Shobhana maam a lot, and I adore the way she lends life to the characters that she plays on screen. I’d really like to leave a mark in the film industry, like she has done!

BB: If I asked you to describe the kind of person that you are in a couple of sentences, what would you tell me?

Aishwarya: I am absolutely passionate about acting. Every day I find myself willing to explore my potentials as an actress. I have wanted to act and be in films for as long as I can remember. I feel I have finally come to the right place; I belong here.

 BB: Thanks much Aishwarya! It was a pleasure talking to you!

Aishwarya: Thank You!