We are all actors. If Ponni’s Selvan enters the shooting set, we all become characters. Therefore, Jayam Ravi acted in two films and was also able to act as the sister of the film.
Ponniin Selvan is a combination of historical and commercial film. So, I had to completely change my style, dress, behaviour, appearance, voice, and look.
We did our homework for 6 months and experimented with many views for the look of Kundavai. We’ve tested nearly 100 different looks and looks by wearing almost 100 makeup outfits and jewellery. We filtered one by one until we chose the right vision for Kundavai. In the end we used one look for many different scenes. Mainly, we tried and selected bun kond on the head. Big thanks to my stylist Eka Lakhani for coming up with the Kundavai icon. These are all the challenges I faced for the role of Kunthavai.
Also, in the film, the clothes are worn all over, there is a lot of jewellery, and you don’t know much while acting. But, taking a break was a big challenge. Bun kodai on the head, heavy weight of jewellery will hurt the ear. We can’t drink water.
Not only that, the men in the film also took more time to do their make-up as compared to the women. He said everyone will start applying makeup at 2.30 am for the 7 am shoot.
Mani Sir’s verses do not give full meaning. In some places there was sedum. At some places it was difficult to speak the verses. We can’t bring feelings while speaking verses. Therefore, we changed the verses according to the feelings.
But, when he first read the verses, it did not enter his mouth. I rehearsed a lot. Mani sir was very helpful in pronouncing the verses correctly.
So speaking verses was easy.
Aishwarya Rai got friendship through this film.
There are many conflict scenes between Kunta and Nandini. On the very first day of shooting, they shot scenes with me and Ash. That’s when we started talking well. But, Mani sir, you two should not be so friendly. He said that the footage would not come out right.
Accordingly, we proceeded for the next three days. But, everyone was surprised and appreciated that the scene we acted was good. That’s all we did as Mani sir said.
* They ask if Kundavai character is your identity like Jaanu character.
I have romance scenes in the film too. But whether a character will become an icon will be known only when the film is released and everyone is talking about it.
During the curfew we did not shoot and everyone stayed at their homes. But Mani sir was afraid that everyone would gain weight. Meanwhile, contact Trisha, I hope you are not fat. He would say keep exercising.
I have learned from this Kundavai who has been treasured in my life..
Kundavai is always brave. I will follow the same from now on.
