Exclusive! Akshara Haasan: I believe that any interesting work of art will appeal to audience irrespective of ongoing trend

Akshara Haasan, who is choosy about roles, is excited about her latest film, Achcham Madam Naanam Payirppu, which is dropping on Amazon Prime Video, on March 25. She plays Pavithra, a naïve girl who is raised in an orthodox manner, in the film directed by Raja Ramamurthy.

Billed as a coming-of-age dramedy, the film's story revolves around an innocent, teenage girl who sets out to attempt something different in her life, which has high chances of receiving backlash from the conservative society. In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, the actress opens up about the movie, the method she adopted to play the complex character, responses from film festivals, taking tips from her family members in acting and more...

The first look and trailer of Achcham Madam Naanam Payirppu were unveiled in 2020. As the film is releasing this Friday, tell us how excited you are and how difficult was it to wait for more than a year for the movie to get released?

I'm really excited because we finished making it in 2020 and the film has been doing the rounds at film festivals. I have learnt a lot while working for the movie; I got to understand myself more as an actor. Though we made the project more than a year ago, the excitement remains the same even now. It takes some time for good things to happen at the right time and we have to be patient. I'm nervous as well, but in a good way.

How has been the response and experience associated with the film's screening at film festivals?

It was really beautiful and positive. It was interesting to receive responses from different perspectives and different sets of audiences. It was a wonderful experience.

What exactly can the audience look forward to?

The subject is something out of the box and funny. Since it is a comedy, there is a sense of innocence and purity to the plot.  

What was your reaction when you were approached to play the protagonist in the movie?

I found the story really interesting and was impressed with Raja sir's vision for the film from the word go. Moreover, it had something which I haven't done before. I always keep striving to do new things and I felt I would be apt for the role after listening to the script.  

What were your preparations like for playing the role? Are you someone who completely follows the director's instructions?

I strongly feel that every movie is a result of team work. Raja sir gave a lot of inputs and I had come up with many suggestions. I believe that's how we collaborate creatively to make a project better in every aspect. It was fun to develop a character with flesh and blood from scratch.  

The character Pavithra you play in the film is a confused girl who hails from a conservative family. Was there any common aspect you share with her?

Well, the character and I are poles apart in terms of our behaviour and family background. But I had to strike a balance between my real persona and the character traits of Pavithra without which it would have been difficult for me to essay the role. I started thinking like her to connect with her behaviour and body language. It was a challenging process as I had to keep in mind society's expectations as well for each action of mine as the character demanded it.  

Of late there is an influx of female-centric films. Do you think the trend will be an added advantage for the film?

I don't think there is any perfect time for a film to be appreciated by viewers. I think any movie or work of art will appeal to the audience irrespective of any trend. But given the fact that people are becoming more receptive to different genres and subjects, the movie has more chances of getting lapped up by people.

According to the director, Achcham Madam Naanam Payirppu is the first Tamil film which has done complete justice to the concept of female gaze. What's your take on it?

We should really encourage people to get their views out on different topics. It's high time women become opinionated and showcase their diverse talent. I'm glad that this film provided me an opportunity to display my talent and outlook.

Do you think the movie has adequate elements that are necessary to inspire women?

Yes, definitely. It is true that something called societal expectation exists. But the point this film puts across is, don't forget who you are while trying to please society. Explore a lot, but be safe, responsible and respect the environment. We can be the person we strive to be and still be a good person.

How often do you seek acting tips from your father, mother and sister who have made a mark for themselves before you made your acting debut?

Well, I think that is the upside of being in a profession your family members are also part of. I think anyone, irrespective of the profession they are in, could relate to it. I'm lucky that I can reach out to them and seek answers for my questions. I know they are there to guide me whenever I feel I'm stuck.