The first thing you notice about Ivana (born Aleena Shaji) are her gleaming eyes, smile and innocence. The class twelve student, who made a powerful debut with Bala's Naachiyaar, says she's totally different from Arasi (her role in the film). "I talk a lot," she cautions me before I begin the interview.
She quickly adds, "I can't believe all this happened. I'll always be grateful to Bala sir. Ivlo attention irukum nu edhir paarkala. I am a bit nervous because I have my board exams next month. Be it friends or family members, everyone has been quite supportive. They circulate notes on WhatsApp, and I also had extra coaching classes from my teachers."
Ivana did three films in Malayalam -- Masters, Rani Padmini and Anuraga Karikkin Vellam. "There was some write-up about me, and Bala sir found it online. That's how I was approached for Naachiyaar. My parents listened to the script, and gave me confidence to pursue the opportunity," she says.
The young actor was a bit apprehensive after Bala said her character would be pregnant in the film. "Most heroines would dream of glamorous roles and wearing nice costumes, but I was asked to be in a simple paavadai and shirt. No, I am not complaining, but I did everything I could do for the role. Also, it was difficult to walk around with an artificial-padded pregnant belly," she smiles.
Ivana wasn't serious about films initially, but after Naachiyaar, she says she wants to do more performance-oriented roles. "I am open to doing both Tamil and Malayalam films, but Tamil will be my priority," she says.
Speaking about Bala, she tells us, "He's a disciplinarian and doesn't get satisfied with scenes easily. He wants everything to be perfect. At the same time, he's caring too. I was amazed by his determination on the sets. He constantly improvises a scene. He teaches his actors how to act, and it's better for us if we listen to him. Konjam bayama irundudhu, but I took it easy."
Ivana feels her Tamil is much better now. "I had an RJ train me in the language. I used to get the dialogues the previous day and rehearse. Acting is more about being expressive, reacting and emoting. Though I struggle to speak, I can manage," she laughs.
She's all praise for Jyotika and her co-star, GV Prakash. "I am a huge fan of Jyotika ma'am since Kushi days. When I was required to cry in a scene, she empathised with me. That's a nice thing about her. Prakash helped me translate my dialogues into English. He was encouraging too," she says.
Though Ivana wants to become a Chartered Accountant, she says she also wants to act and become like "Nayanthara or Nazriya."