No Filter: Abhirami, an actress to look out for in 2019

She makes a mark with her debut opposite stalwarts like Nasser and Sathyaraj and she holds her own. As someone who has seen her grow from her Bharatanatyam days to modelling and now films, it is a pleasure to see her grab an opportunity like this and give it her all.

“When the director, Anand Shankar, spoke to me about the role, I had my apprehensions about playing a woman so much older — whether I would be typecast after this and if I could do justice to it but he quelled all my fears and was very supportive. If I don’t challenge myself how am I to grow as an actor or a person! My character had crucial scenes but limited screen time and I wanted to make the most of it. Nasser and Sathyaraj were so kind and helpful and it was a learning experience for me both as an actor and in confidence. I wish I had gotten to act opposite Vijay Deverakonda!” she said wistfully. There is always the next time, maybe, a full-fledged female lead role in the offing. You never know.

She hasn’t told any of us about this role and it was an incredible surprise and she tells me I wasn’t the only one who messaged or called her and the response from friends and family has been great. What I think would have been even more gratifying are the fans who have been sliding into her DMs with praises.

With two web series releasing simultaneously, Kalavu and What’s Up Velakkari, Abhi seems to be on a roll and on a quest to essay diverse female characters on screen. She has more releases lined up for 2019 and all I can tell you is one of them is with Gautham Vasudev Menon.