If I’m accepted as Jayalalithaa, I want to do a film on Kannagi next: Kangana Ranaut

For many actors, okaying a shot in a single take is a matter of pride. But for Kangana Ranaut, it’s the satisfaction of getting the scene right that counts. Even if it’s just an expression that comes for a fraction of a second in a whole song sequence! The actress is shooting in Chennai for Vijay’s Thalaivi, a biopic on former actress and CM of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa, and we saw her requesting the team for retakes until both she and the director were happy with the outcome.Taking a chair by the side of a beautifully done up stage, she continues to practise her hand movements and expressions for a few minutes before speaking to us about why she was kicked about doing another biopic, the challenges of playing a real-life person, how she reacts to criticism and more. Excerpts:
Actually, I’m still processing it. I’m absolutely grateful to people, and those who thought I deserved it. I’m also thankful to every one of them who have loved me. I believe I have been very unconventional in my journey, from when I started to now receiving the Padma. It has been full of very extreme highs and very extreme lows, and I’m glad that people have seen me through all of that. So yes, this has not been something that I expected to start my year with, for sure.
Even in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, my role was loosely based on Madhubala. But after Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, this is my next proper biopic. It’s not that I choose these roles. I can say I’m only fortunate because I’ve been able to have this opportunity.
I’ve also put on a few kilos (smiles). I’d done Dhaam Dhoom long ago, and I never had the opportunity to tap into this region, especially Tamil Nadu, after that. My films do well in the north, but I wanted to connect with the audience in the south. I think this is a great opportunity for that. I really want to do more work here.
Apart from my personal liking for her, it’s the very extraordinary life that she lived, and the extraordinary perseverance and strength that she showed in the face of adversity… these are truly remarkable. But of course, you need to see if it makes sense cinematically as well. When I choose to do a film, I see what’s there in it for the audience more than what’s there in it for me. I feel that her journey makes for an exceptionally good screenplay, in terms of cinema and politics blending into each other.
Yes, for instance, the culture is very, very different here. Amma has been a sensational, most loved superstar. When I did my research on her, I found out what an icon she was... the way she carried herself, she’s also a style icon. She never did timid characters on screen, she was a trailblazer. To become Amma is an interesting arc, but a difficult arc to achieve.

We have just started the film. When it comes out, that’s when people get to actually see the complete product and react.
Oh yes, and it is amazing to be working with him. Their relationship (between Jayalalithaa and MGR, played by Arvind Swami) is layered. It’s an intense relationship between friends, mentor (and his protégée) and much more. And when they are both in politics, it also becomes competitive. This kind of dynamic relationship that they share has many shades… amicable, admiration, mentoring, and then, goes on to become a competition of sorts. It’s extraordinary. And Arvind Swami is such a subtle artiste who can pull off any scene with ease. What he brings to the film is very amazing and we are fortunate to get the casting right.
The kind of films I’ve started to do in Bollywood, I need that kind of script here as well. I’m not ready to play second fiddle to the hero. I hear it happens in the south, like it happens in Mumbai as well. But the other day, I was telling Vijay sir that he has to make a film on this iconic lady who’s worshipped here — Kannagi. If I’m accepted as Jayalalithaa, I want him to make Kannagi for me. She’s such an iconic character, such a strong woman, and it will make for an epic drama. But I want to do that film only in Tamil. Hopefully, it should manifest.
Vijayendra Prasad sir (writer of the film) was researching on Jayalalithaa, and I heard it from him (smiles).