I find Suhasini’s simplcity endearing: Sruthi Hariharan

In Ambi Ning Vayassaytho, Sruthi Hariharan will be sharing screen space with Sudeep for the first time. In addition, it’s also a film which marks the comeback of Ambareesh in a full-fledged role. In a candid chat with CE, Sruthi tells us how she prepared for her role in the film made under Kiccha Creations and directed by Gurudatha Ganiga.

The actor, who plays the younger version of Suhasini Maniratnam, says there are a few reasons for her choosing to be part of the film. Besides it being a “different kind of commercial subject”, the film also marks the comeback of Ambareesh. “If I had to define his role in Ambi.. I would call it ‘cute’,” says Sruthi. Playing the younger version of Suhasini gave her an opportunity to travel back to the 80s, which was another reason for doing the film. “Since I grew up in Bengaluru, it’ll give me an idea as to how a small-town girl adjusts to city life. I had to observe how they carried themselves and their mannerisms,” she says.  

Working with superstar Sudeep, Sruthi says, was a new experience. “Sudeep also stepped in to direct some bits of the film. He directed one of my scenes. It was very intense and challenging. Of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without his inputs. He managed to get out something new out of me,” she says.

Even before Gurudatha got into direction, Sruthi knew him. But it was on the sets that she found out his unassuming nature. “People wondered if he would be able to manage the sets, but once he dons the director’s hat, he knows how to call the shots. He never came across as a first time director,” she says.  

Sruthi, who has watched many of Suhasini Maniratnam’s films in different languages, is impressed with the veteran actor’s versatility. “I find her simplicity endearing. She is also one of the very few intelligent female actors we have in the film industry. As a writer, director, there are so many things about Suhasini ma’am that inspire me. In Ambi.. I play a younger version of her, but at no point am I comparing myself to her. For the role, I watched her films to learn her body language. I hope I have done justice to the role. I particularly like her hairstyle and confidence.”