Suhasini Mani Ratnam - plays a key role in new Kannada cinema O Gulabiye

Kannada filmdom always welcomed talents from neighboring states be it the hero or the heroines. Juli Laxmi, Jayaprada, Radhika, Sarita etc are such heroines who throb the hearts to Kannada film lovers. Suhasini Mani Ratnam - an enduring icon of South Indian films is no exception here who stamped her own identity blended with her everlasting smile. She was in Bangalore last week to take part in new Kannada film O Gulabiye produced by Paramesh. Her last Kannada film was Annavru (remake of Tamil hit Dalapati)starring Ambarish and Darshan. While chatting with us she expressed her feeling about Bangalore, her current projects and some of her future plans. Excerpts:

How do you like the Garden City?
I love Bangalore. Since I have a small house of my own here, I feel this city as my hometown. My first film was shot at Cubbon Park in 1981.

Why O Gulabiye…?
I liked the subject of O Gulabiye. I will be a college lecturer here. Producer Paramesh and director Narendra Babu traced me for 6 months asking for my call sheet. Finally I felt if somebody needs me so badly I should be there. All are new comers but enthusiastic. Director is so well organized, he decided the color and design of my dresses with accessories and faxed it to my Chenai office!

What about your reel life and real life?
Apart from O Gulabiye, at present I am not working on any other project. Deepa Mehta approached me. But I'm not interested in doing Hindi films. Two of my Telugu movies are releasing in March. I will be finishing this project by end of this month and in March want to be there with my son as his exams starts. Being a married woman, I have to do double duty. Remove make-up; go back home and stand in front of husband with a coffee cup - my real role starts. This is not the case for male actors. (an example for her sense of humor!)

How comfortable are you with Kannada?
I am not fluent in Kannada. Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu are the other languages where I worked and I know those languages. Instead of remembering all these languages I am trying to learn French. (She promised to unveil the reason why she is learning French specifically when we meet next. There is an emotional story behind that she added.

Suhasini

Any plans of Mani Ratnam making a Kannada Film?
Sorry to disappoint you. But Mani Ratnam will not direct any Kannada film in his near future. Hindi and Tamil movies are his favorites. I am not acting in any of his films. Whenever I get some time I help him in pre and post-production works of his projects. But he never helped me in my acting profession. (She proves her sense of humor once again.) He doesn't have any complaints against me except for my decision of not acting in his Kannada film Pallavi Anupallavi. As Laxmi was the heroine of the film how could I shine there?

Projects other than South Indian films?
I may act in film like Stumble and take part in production and direction. UK film council has approached me and my husband invited us to take part in their workshop. They haven't asked for any particular films nor we submitted any subject yet. Later this year, I may appear in Television as a host of a talk show, which is not yet finalized. Suhasini could spend only a little time with media professionals for this short but sweet conversation as she was rushing back to Chenai.