Varalaxmi Sarathkumar says Sabari is fast-paced thriller that won’t waste audiences’ time

Actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s psychological thriller Sabari hit the big screens today. The actor, who is known for her distinct and straightforward offscreen personality, asserts that the film is a fast-paced thriller that addresses some things that have not been touched upon in Indian cinema.

The actor, who is known for being straightforward in her communication, talks about how an actor’s life can be versatile due to the roles they play. “I think there is good and bad but I choose to tell only the good of it. I prefer to tell who I am and whether you like me for it or not is your choice. If you don’t like it, move on and if you do, watch me. I think I am very comfortable expressing who I am because acting is my job. But when I get to my doorstep, it is the person in me and off camera. What you see is what you get. On camera, I will play the roles that I am given. I won’t be serious just because I am given such roles.”

Also read: Sabari Review - Only Varalaxmi Sarathkumar shines in this middling psychological thriller 

One of the few artists who has been able to distinguish between being an actor and a heroine, Varalaxmi, says that it was early on when she decided to be an actor. "Initially, they give you advice that if it is not the lead role, don’t take it up. So was the case when I did Vikram Vedha, even though my character is pivotal to the story. The film turned out to be a cult hit. That’s what made me wonder if I want to be an actor or just be the leading lady.” 

She adds that she is determined that her role should be appreciated and recognised by the audience. “You should be true to your role and that is how an actor can improve too. There could be a formula to be a star, but as an actor, you should be able to pull off versatile roles. That makes you a full-fledged actor.”

Varalaxmi, who found pan-Indian success through Hanu-Man, says that change is the only thing that is constant in life and explains how evolution is a big part of cinema. “There have been changes and evolutions in how we consume cinema too. Only with audience support will films work and it is like a cycle. And only when films provide entertainment will they watch them. The film industry also generates a lot of employment. It is a huge place of recruitment. So sometimes it is easy to negate a film within 5 minutes but if you don’t have any films to review, they won’t have a job either. I am not saying if a film is bad, call it bad, but give it sometime for the audience to see it as well. Don’t take people for the opinions they have before that. Let them form their own opinion.”

Also read: Anil Kaltz interview - Sabari is a moving thriller that will arrest everyone with its emotions 

The actor, who is expressive about the fact that she hates stereotypes, speaks about how women are labelled more. “If you do only negative roles, only such offers will come to you. People are a little shortsighted and are not able to see a person in different characters. But I seem to have broken that successfully in Telugu and am working on different scripts,” she signs off.

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