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An Interview with Actress Sneha (Acknowledgement : www.cinesouth.com) Don't ask for the name of the baby, which has autographed in this fashion. For the owner of this childish signature is no less a person than the actress Sneha. As soon as she saw us, she introduced herself. "Hai, I'm Sneha". Her house wore a festive look. It just looked like a house of marriage, well and true. A question hits our brains "Whether Kodambakkam is going to witness another star marriage"? said Sneha, "My sister is getting married!" She is at the receiving end of ever so many magazine reviews, unlike any other new face in Tamil Cinema. Each day is galore with criticisms about her. But, mindless of all those stumbling blocks she continues to tread on the path of triumph. Her policy is to take it easy. It is doubtful whether those who write about her from a critical point of view would have seen her at all. She is so cute, charming and beautiful. At this moment, thanks to Devayani, she ranks as one among the actresses who have a large number of Tamil films at their hand. Her screen life blossomed in Malayalam filmdom but she has prospered only in Tamil film industry. We ask her: Despite the debacle of 'Ennavale' how was it possible for you to have so many opportunities to act in so many films? Quips she, "In celluloid world, sixty per cent of your chances come through luck and the rest because of your ability. The luck has worked out for me. Hence my chances!" (Humilty, humility) Words are around that she has performed, excellently in 'Virumbukiren' and that she is tipped to bag several awards. When we bring this to her notice, she runs into raptures. "I am also eagerly awaiting that film. The release of that film would fetch fame and name for me. I have donned an exceptionally different character in that film. The role is a highly unique one, as those played by Revathi in 'Man Vaasanai' and Radhika in 'Kizhakke Pokum Rail'. Any heroine would be proud of it. I can't say anything about the prophecy of winning an award. I am keeping my fingers crossed about it. Let's wait and see! Everything depends upon the acknowledgement and reception by the audiences. The film should have a successful run to make things work for me." A thought crosses our mind. Having come to the point of taking about 'Virumbukiren' why should not we pose that question?. What is the reason to understand that the release of the film is getting delayed especially because of you. Is it true? Sneha has a cool, diplomatic reply, "I shall tell who is the real cause for such a delay after the release of the film. I think it is inopportune to tell it now!". We prevailed upon her to open her mind in this respect and stopped her from giving evasive replies like Nagma. "They say I am not responding promptly and that I am not keeping up my dates. But the fact is different. It is the 'Virumbukiren' people who have given me a compulsory rest of these three days. It is because of them, I remain idle now. Even though I have allocated to them these days which were originally given to Super Good Films they have wasted only my call sheets. What can I do for their lapses? My sister's marriage falls on the fourth instant of this month. Yet I have given my call sheet at 3 p.m on that date for the shootings of 'Virumbukiren'. Have I cleared your doubt. Can we put an end to the matter with this?". Sneha gave a piece of her mind slowly. But we want to draw more from her. Recently, we heard that you failed to turn up at the shooting spot of 'Virumbukiren' preferring on the other hand to do your bit for the film of Balachander. And the 'Virumbukiren' people were all waiting for your arrival. Can you cause such disappointments? "My Manager has caused that problem. He has given call sheets to three, four films at the same time. I can't be held wholly responsible for the delay of 'Virumbukiren'. Others are also equally responsible for the slow march of the film." Now that Sneha has appointed her brother himself as her manager, we can hope that she would manage her time efficiently in future. Let us wish that she shouldn't face the call sheets problems anymore. Let us hope not to continue posing such nagging questions in the times to come. Can you tell something about Balachander's 'Paarththale Paravasam'? "It's is a great thing to act in a film of Balachander. I put my heart and soul into the role he has assigned me in his film. I simply enjoy myself as I perform it. I just had landed the opportunity of figuring in that film by Sheer luck. I hope many more opportunities would follow on the wake of 'Paarththale Paravasam'. Both Simran and myself are heroines in that film. Balachander Sir has created the climax scene in his own inimitable way. I have learnt a lot from him. Rather he has taught me much. Many people have told me that he would scold and be tense at the shooting spot. But he didn't scold me even once. (She affirms twice). He never expressed any anger towards me. I was afraid of him but he didn't scold me at all. There was absolutely nothing to be annoyed." One can win a landslide victory if he contests in the election for a single constituency. At the same token, if he chooses to contest simultaneously in several constituencies there may arise a situation in which his applications may be turned down. This would hold good to Cinema also. Sneha, even while she is acting in Tamil films, has managed to enter into the Telugu film world, in the Cycle gap, and has earned the tag of a lucky actress there. Why is this two language formula? "One has to act in films of different languages if one wants to play in many good characters. What would you do if you are able to get a character in Telugu industry that is not available to you in Tamil filmdom? But don't jump to conclusion that I won't give importance to Tamil films. Some actresses find place in films made in four or five languages even. One should concentrate on the tasks at one's hand. The languages of the films are of no consequence. I want to fair well both in Tamil and Telugu films. Yet I want to earn a good name further in Tamil film world as people here move freely and talk nicely with me. As Devayani is somewhat away from Cinema, Sneha is able to bag more and more decent characters, Many more would be going in her way. Has glamour lost it for ever, then? Says Sneha, "I came to Cinema with a desire to do good roles. I could get opportunities too according to my wishes". Have we not seen many such actresses who swore in the name of character roles in the past? "I may turn towards glamour in future" Sneha adds further (That's good!) Sneha's name would come after that of Prashanth in the title card of 'Virumbukiren'. But she won't get similar honor in other films because she has to face the stiff competition form Simran in 'Paarththaale Paravasam'; Devayani and Ramba in 'Anandham', and Preetha Vijayakumar in 'Punnagai Desam'. Whether she feels irksome about it? Her reply is brief and to the point. "I don't count how many heroines are there in a film. It is okay and enough for me if my character is a good. Do you think that you can do something big in a hero-oriented film-world? "Equal importance is being given to the hero and heroine alike. A heroine cannot expect more than this. No matter a film accords utmost importance to a hero, an actress should be choosy and careful in the selection of her character." The magazines carry criticisms about her, week after week, in between the release of a film of hers and that of the next one. How do you receive the comments about you? "I don't take things seriously. I take them in my strides. I don't generally read the criticisms about her. Even while I chance to read some of them, I won't take them to heart. I will just leave them as they are. Why should I bother about baseless rumors? There is no need to feel sorry about what lies! Quite right. In politics, you can write down the answer even before putting forth a question to Mooppanar. It is the case with Cinema too. For example, ask any actress: "Which character do you like most to act in?". Her immediate answer would be" "The role that was played by Sridevi in 'Moondraam Pirai'. No actress so far has made a mention of a character other than that, as far as the history goes. Sneha also belongs to the same category. She too aspires to act in a different unprecedented character as that Sridevi's in 'Moondram Pirai'. She signs off her interview stating her goal in no uncertain terms. "I must win many awards including national awards." "I should ensure the recognition from the public as a good actress". May her wish be fulfilled. Hearty greetings!
An Interview with Sneha
(Source : www.chennaisite.com)
Her screen life blossomed in Malayalam filmdom but she has prospered only in Tamil film industry. She is so cute, charming and beautiful.
Q: Words are around that you have performed, excellently in 'Virumbukiren' and you may bag several awards. What do you say?
Sneha: I am also eagerly awaiting that film. The release of that film would fetch fame and name for me. I have donned an exceptionally different character in that film. The role is a highly unique one, as those played by Revathi in 'Man Vaasanai' and Radhika in 'Kizhakke Pokum Rail'. Any heroine would be proud of it. I can't say anything about the prophecy of winning an award. I am keeping my fingers crossed about it. Let's wait and see! Everything depends upon the acknowledgement and reception by the audiences. The film should have a successful run to make things work for me.
Q: What is the reason to understand that the release of the film "Virumbukiren" is getting delayed especially because of you. Is it true?
Sneha: I shall tell who is the real cause for such a delay after the release of the film. I think it is inopportune to tell it now! "They say I am not responding promptly and that I am not keeping up my dates. But the fact is different. It is the 'Virumbukiren' people who gave me a compulsory rest for some days. It is because of them, I remained idle for some time. Even though I had allocated to them few days which were originally given to Super Good Films they simply wasted my call sheets. What could I do for their lapses?.Have I cleared your doubt. Can we put an end to the matter with this? But we want to draw more from her.
Q: Despite the debacle of 'Ennavale' how was it possible for you to have so many opportunities to act in so many films?
Sneha: In celluloid world, sixty per cent of your chances come through luck and the rest because of your ability. The luck has worked out for me. Hence my chances!
Q: Recently, you failed to turn up at the shooting spot of 'Virumbukiren' preferring on the other hand to do your bit for the film of Balachander. And the 'Virumbukiren' people were all waiting for your arrival. Can you cause such disappointments?
Sneha: My Manager has caused that problem. He has given call sheets to three, four films at the same time. I can't be held wholly responsible for the delay of 'Virumbukiren'. Others are also equally responsible for the slow march of the film.
Q: Can you tell something about Balachander's 'Paarththale Paravasam'?
Sneha: It's is a great thing to act in a film of Balachander. I put my heart and soul into the role he has assigned me in his film. I simply enjoy myself as I perform it. I just had landed the opportunity of figuring in that film by Sheer luck. I hope many more opportunities would follow on the wake of 'Paarththale Paravasam'. Both Simran and myself are heroines in that film. Balachander Sir has created the climax scene in his own inimitable way. I have learnt a lot from him. Rather he has taught me much. Many people have told me that he would scold and be tense at the shooting spot. But he didn't scold me even once. He never expressed any anger towards me. I was afraid of him but he didn't scold me at all. There was absolutely nothing to be annoyed."
Q: Even while you are acting in Tamil films, you managed to enter into the Telugu film world, and earned the tag of a lucky actress there. Why did you enter telugu films?
Sneha: One has to act in films of different languages if one wants to play in many good characters. What would you do if you are able to get a character in Telugu industry that is not available to you in Tamil filmdom? But don't jump to conclusion that I won't give importance to Tamil films. Some actresses find place in films made in four or five languages even. One should concentrate on the tasks at one's hand. The languages of the films are of no consequence. I want to fair well both in Tamil and Telugu films. Yet I want to earn a good name further in Tamil film world as people here move freely and talk nicely with me.
Q: Have we not seen many such actresses who swore in the name of character roles in the past?
Sneha: I may turn towards glamour in future.
Q: Sneha's name would come after that of Prashanth in the title card of 'Virumbukiren'. But she won't get similar honor in other films because she has to face the stiff competition form Simran in 'Paarththaale Paravasam'; Devayani and Ramba in 'Anandham', and Preetha Vijayakumar in 'Punnagai Desam'. What do you say?
Sneha: I don't count how many heroines are there in a film. It is okay and enough for me if my character is a good.
Q: How do you receive the comments about you?
Sneha: I don't take things seriously. I take them in my strides. I don't generally read the criticisms. Even while I chance to read some of them, I won't take them to heart. I will just leave them as they are. Why should I bother about baseless rumors? There is no need to feel sorry about what lies!
Q: How do you receive the comments about you?
Sneha: I don't take things seriously. I take them in my strides. I don't generally read the criticisms. Even while I chance to read some of them, I won't take them to heart. I will just leave them as they are. Why should I bother about baseless rumors? There is no need to feel sorry about what lies!
Q: Lastly, What is your goal?
Sneha: I must win many awards including national awards. I should ensure the recognition from the public as a good actress.
Three films and one year old in Telugu Cinema, Sneha has all that it takes to make a versatile actress - Good looks, great potential and not-to-forget, that million-dollar smile, and she flaunts it all! She is already a leading heroine in Tamil Cinema.
Having gained recognition through movies like "Priyamaina Neeku", "Tholivalapu" and the very recent "Paravasam", Sneha is all set to make it big in Telugu Cinema. She never even dreamt of a career in films. Then, how did she take this trip to Tollywood? Read on to know more about this bubbly and cheerful actress in an exclusive interview (some excerpts):
- Your height?
5 "3"
- What do you like the most about yourself?
I'm a very jovial person.
- Your hobbies.
Reading, Music and Chatting.
- If you are paired opposite a hero, who is shorter than you?
I would not mind, Ofcourse. But, the hero may not like it. And the director and producer of that particular film will have to think about it.
How did you come into films?
Well, I never dreamt of a career in films. I was a good dancer and one of the Tamil-film directors happened to notice me, during a dance programme of mine. I was introduced to him through dance-director Kala. Since, I got a great offer, I just grabbed the opportunity, And, now, am here doing more and more films.
Will you play only the lead role in all your films?
Yes, I want to be the heroine in all my films.
But, you have signed a film with two other heroines, for your forthcoming film?
Yes, The film "Hanuman Junction" has three heroines and I'm one among them. If my role is good, I'm prepared to act with any number of heroines.
How do you feel, now that "Paravasam" is not doing well at the box office?
I liked my role in "Paravasam" very much. I also liked the film a lot. Anybody would love to do a film with a veteran director like K.Balachandar and am glad to have got that offer. I really can't say anything about the film, right now. I only hope "Paravasam" will start doing well.
What kind of roles do you prefer?
There should be a lot of scope for acting. I mean, it should be a performance - based character. Only, then, I will go in for that role.
How far is it important for a heroine to look glamorous?
I've never said that I don't want to look glamorous. In "Priyamaina Neeku", I play a very glamorous looking girl. It's very important for a heroine to look gorgeous on the screen. For that matter, I'm not prepared to wear skimpy clothes. Am very careful in choosing my costumes.
What according to you is a 'good character'?
A character, which has a lot of depth.
What kind of a role do you dislike?
A sad character. I'd hate to sit and shed tears, even for the shoot.
Do you like western outfits?
Yes. I like certain kinds of western clothes. I also like Chudidars and Salwar-Kameez. Saree is my all-time favourite.
About the food, you like? Are you a strict Vegetarian?
I prefer light non-vegetarian food. I include all kinds of vegetables in my diet.
How many languages can you speak?
I'm a Tamilian. Apart from Tamil, I can also speak Telugu, Hindi and English. Having lived in Dubai for sometime, I can also speak some Arabic.
Whom do you think is the toughest competition for you in the industry?
Any talented actress who can perform well, is competition enough for me.
Heard that you sing very well
(Smiles) This is the biggest lie I've ever heard!
Actress Sneha has given an interview, stating her views on acting, gossips, future ambition etc.,etc., The details:
Question: Did you ever expect that you might meet with such a terrific accident as you actually did a few monthsback?
Answer: Definitely not. None of us has that Providential power as to know in advance what's there in store for us in the future......The unexpected accident I met with while we were proceeding to Thiruppathi, to participate in the shooting of "April Maathaththil", has re-written my fate...By God's grace, I have escaped from what would have otherwise become a great tragedy.
Question: Does your present body condition give the required co-operation for acting?
Answer: As you see now, I am O.K. The inner wound of my leg has been completely cured. But, I find some difficulty while trying a free walk. Yet, I could return to normalcy within one or two months.
Question: Some gossips targetting you started circulating recently. Do you know why?
Answer: I think those gossips about me were wantonly published ...Not even a single percent of truth was in it. I was undergoing treatment in the hospital following the car accident. During then these gossips had been made a day-today subject of talk in cine circles. You could imagine how painful it might have been to me, when I heard all about it while I was in the hospital!
Question: Do you suspect anybody who might have been behind all these rumours?
Answer: Cinefield is an ocean. One cannot single out from among people and say who's good and who's bad in it. I won't mind those people, who wrte such gossips......
Question: Have you yourself cut short your new film commitments?
Answer: I never commit in so many number of films at a given time. I have contentment. From among the film offers that come in, I choose those particular ones that have suitable character roles that befit me. Presently, I act in "April Maathaththil", teaming with Sreekanth and in "Paarthiban Kanavu". I paired with Tharunkumar in a Telugu film, which is now re-made into Tamil with the title,"Kaathal Sugamaanathu". Also I'm now negotiating for a few new film projects. When the story, the character role and my callsheets prove suitable to me I'll act in them.
Question: About the charge levelled against you that you use to demand exorbitant salary?
Answer: It's very obvious that rumours are being wantonly spread against me in the industry. Somebody, who might have tried and failed to avail my callsheet, could have been behind it.
Question: You have completed considerable number of films. Yet, you still seem to lack unique style of your own in acting. Why?
Answer: I wish to achieve my own style of acting. But, to say the truth, only recently I have entered into filmfield. May be, when I complete enacting multi-different types of character roles in course of years, could I dream of 'sculpting and evolving' my own characteristic style of acting! Presently, having seen my recently-released films, my fans consisting of both the sexes, are in the habit of writing to me pinpointing and making a list of my distinct styles of walking, my dressing style and my graceful gestures etc.,.
Question: Whom do you wish to imitate in acting?
Answer: Eventhough I use to enjoy witnessing other heroines' old as well as new films, I won't imitate their acting styles. If I do imitate them, I couldn't hope to last for long in the field. Only if I'm able to exhibit my individual talent, I could secure a palce for myself in the cineworld.
Question: What do you want to achieve in your cine career?
Answer: I can't say for how many years I'm going to stay in this field. Yet, in the course of intervening period, I wish that atleast one of the heroines, who would see and enjoy films done by me, should finally exclaim: "I want to perform in a character role as has been done by Sneha". In that way my style of doing that particular role should prove to be a lasting model of inspiration to others.
Smiling her way to stardom
The Hindu, October 20, 2002
"I do not mind doing the second lead. If some one calls me no.2, I would only work hard to improve myself. That way I am happy to be the contender and not the leader".
Almost the girl next door, Suhasini transforms into onscreen persona every time she breaks into that smile that captures the minds of Tamil movie audience. Christened Sneha for the silver screen, Suha (as her friends call her) has come a long way a career spanning 15 movies in the last two years. Some hitting the bulls-eye like "Anandam" and others that did not quite live up to the hype like "Ye, Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke". Not to mention the car accident that nearly put brakes on her career. She took some time off her shooting schedule to speak to Karthik Subramanian about her `arrival' in the film industry and future plans.
MY FIRST choice for a career was psychiatry. My father wanted me to become a chartered accountant. My brother suggested software engineering," Sneha says. Dressed in resplendent blue, she was filming with Vijay for `Vaseegara'.
"I never considered films as a career until director Fazil spotted me at a star show in Sharjah," she continues about her advent into films. "My father, Raghuram, worked at the Sharjah stadium and I was keen on getting autographs of all the stars who had come to the show. That's when Fazil sir asked me if I was interested in acting". The bolt-out-of-blue offer was something that her family did not expect. But nevertheless, the self-confessed `over ambitious girl' was quick to test the waters.
"I always wanted to become famous, make others take note of me. And what better way than to become an actress. Anyway, not every one gets an offer like that". She discontinued her Plus-two in February 2000 and left Dubai with "a little apprehension and lots of confidence" to act as an aspiring dancer in "Ingana Oru Nila Pakshi". The movie revolved around a choreographer, played by Sneha, and her ambitious mother (played by Srividhya) who wants the world to take notice of her daughter's skills. "There were seven classical songs choreographed for that movie. Thankfully, my Bharathanatyam skills helped me".
For Sneha, her character in "Virumbugiren" (which has not yet been released) is close to her heart, despite the release of several films subsequently. "Thavamani (the character she plays in the film) is still my favourite. I involve myself totally in all my projects, but I cherish that role. Several industry persons who watched the film commended my performance. I only hope that the movie is released soon".
With her first film, "Ingana Oru Nila Pakshi" receiving a lukewarm response at the box office and "Virumbugiren" not even getting a release due to post-production problems, Sneha's stroke of luck occurred when producer Ashok called her. "When Ashok sir asked me if I could act in a movie with Madhavan, I was overjoyed. "Alaypayuthe" had just released then, and Madhavan had become the hot favourite of all teenagers. I immediately called up all my school friends in Dubai and told the great news," she says. "Ennavale" was not a big hit like "Alaypayuthe", but still made people sit up and notice Sneha. She then signed for a "small but significant" role opposite Abbas for director Linguswamy's, "Anandam". "Many told me I should not have signed a movie that had several stars. But I liked my character in the film," she recalls. Her performance as the headstrong wife of Abbas in Kamal Hassan-starrer, Pammal K.Sambandam, was a clincher of sorts. She recalls the sequence in which she gets drunk and picks up a fight with Abbas as one of her best comic sequences.
"I do not mind doing the second lead. If some one calls me no.2, I would only work hard to improve myself. That way I am happy to be the contender and not the leader".
Sneha's most difficult stretch in her short career so far has been her recovery after a car accident this May. She was travelling to Tirupathi to shoot for "April Madhathil", when she sustained injuries in her backbone and toe. The doctors advised her to take bed rest for three months, but the resilient actress was back shooting within a month.
"When my doctor saw the song which we shot for "King", he was flabbergasted. He just could not understand how I could dance, straining myself. But my will power is my biggest strength. I must thank my family and friends for having stood by me through the thick and thin of times".
Sneha has completed filming "April Madhathil" and is looking forward to "Parthepan Kanavu", which she stars with another new star, Srikant.
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