In India, even as film stars get older, they tend not play characters who are of their same age or are younger than themselves partly because they are conscious of their image. This has happened to even some of the legends of Indian cinema. However, it does not apply to all film stars in the country. Take Jyotika, for instance. In a recent conversation, the actor spoke about this aspect of cinema.

Speaking to Sudhir Srinivasan, the actor said that she never allowed age to define the characters or projects she chooses. She also cited Kamal Haasan as inspiration. For the unversed, Nayakan sees Kamal playing multiple versions of the same character, including the older, Godfather-like patriarch. "We are quite inspired by Kamal Haasan sir who did Nayakan at the age of 30. He played older than he was when he was much younger," Jyotika said.

The actor also drew a parallel between Kamal's transformation for Nayakan and how she defied age for characters, such as for 36 Vayadhinile (2015), her comeback film following her marriage with Suriya. "When I was doing 36 Vayadhinile, which was my first comeback film after marriage, I play the mother of an 18 or 20-year-old kid when my kids where three and four. I was all of 35, but I did go in because the role was so interesting and it was such a bubbly and beautiful script. So I don't think age has ever been a factor," the actor said.

She added, "In fact, if you convince people that you are younger or older, you really achieve as an actor."

The actor was last seen in the series Dabba Cartel, alongside a star-studded cast that includes Shabana Azmi, Nimisha Sajayan, and Shalini Pandey. She can be seen in the latest Prime Video film System, co-starring Sonakshi Sinha and Ashutosh Gowariker.