Tulasi turns fisherwoman for Richie

2017 is turning out to be a year of exploring uncharted territory for actress Tulasi. "I have 3 films I am looking forward to this year. I am reuniting with one of my favourite directors Suseenthiran for 2 films. Apart from that, I am also playing a fisherwoman in Richie. It's a role that’s going to surprise everyone who knows me," she grins happily.

After 300 films as a child artiste and successful heroine, Tulasi seems to be enjoying being a much-in-demand character artiste in several languages. "Nothing excites me more than being offered challenging roles and fresh scripts," she says. Richie will be one such film where she's really pushed the envelope. Gone are the trappings of rich urban mom, or typical middle class mother. "I play a widowed fisherwoman in dire straits in Richie. It's one of the 7 important characters in the film. When Gautham Ramachandran came to me with this role, I was thrilled. It's completely out of my comfort zone. When people see me on screen, I am sure they will wonder if that’s really me!" 

So how did she prepare for it? "I never prepare for a role," she brushes the suggestion aside. And she has good reason not to, she says, "Preparation takes away from my spontaneity as an artist. I prefer to just hear the lines and get into character from the director’s narration.” The moment she stepped into the Tuticorin fishmarket, the atmosphere, along with her deep tan, ragged attire and caked hair, helped her transform completely. Richie which is said to be a remake of the Kannada film, Ulidavare Kandanthe, is touted to be Nivin Pauly’s first straight Tamil film.

Mention Suseenthiran’s name and her eyes shine, "He is a very sensitive director who carefully sculpts even the smallest of characters in his films. He gave me such a realistic mother role in Aadhalaal Kaadhal Seiveer, stripped of all artifice. Fans remember it even now. So when he called me for AKS 2, I jumped at the offer. In fact, when he calls me, I never even ask him what role I am playing! I've shot with newcomers and nearly half of the shoot is complete. We have been filming in the backwaters near Pondicherry. I play a middle class mom in a story that deals with a crucial period in the life of the youth when they are confused about the decisions they make."

About Suseenthiran's Aram Seithu Pazhagu, she says, "You will see me as Sundeep Kishan’s mom, a lower middle class lady. We shot in Tambaram in a housing colony. It was lovely when women in the colony would chat with me and recall my role in AKS! When I wanted to make some juice for the unit, the women came to know somehow. Before I knew it, they got me half a dozen blenders from their kitchens! It was very touching. This kind of love from people is one of the most precious takeaways as an actor."