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 She has done about 14 films as a child actress, and two films as a heroine. Poornitha aka Kalyani, just turned 16, talks of her experience in films, revealing a maturity beyond her years. A maturity she reveals in her acting too.
What’s a girl like you, who should be in school, doing in films?
I hardly went to school! My mom Beena is a classical dancer, and it’s natural that I too have been trained in Bharatanatyam since I was three years old. My mom was doing a programme, and I was just hanging around the place. A person from Jaya TV noticed me and offered me the chance to compere a kids quiz programme. That was my first stint in front of the camera. Films followed after that. So my school attendance was irregular, and all I remember is going just to do my exams. Now I’m doing my 11th through correspondence. And I plan to continue my studies further this way.
And your first film offer?
 I was in class-4 when I was offered ‘Allithantha Vaanam’. I played the little friend of Prabhu Deva in it. Then came films like ‘Ramana’, ‘Jayam’, ‘Shri’, some Malayalam films, and an English film ‘Backwaters’. As a child artiste, I would have done about 14 films and 170 commercials.
And what were your experiences with these heroes with whom you may be playing the heroine shortly?
Prabhu Deva was fun during the shoot. He used to help me out in my scenes. But when it came to dance movements, he was a little bit finicky and strict. In ‘Jayam’, Sada and Jayam Ravi were newcomers. We had lots of fun during the shoot. Sada and me cried when the shoot was over.
On your transformation into a heroine?
 I’ve since done two films as a heroine. I was just 14 when I signed my first one, ‘Prathi Nyaayiru’ as heroine. Director Anbu, who was Bharatiraja’s associate, knew me as a child artiste. He narrated the story to me. It was a heroine-oriented subject so I accepted it promptly. Seeing the promos of the film I got my second chance to play the lead in ‘Maranthein Meymaranthein’. It was a bit tough doing the first film as it was a role beyond my years. But the second film was a bit easier.
What was the reaction of your friends and relatives?
I don’t have too many friends, I’m a bit mature for my age and I find it a bit difficult to get along with girls my age. As for my relatives, there were diverse reactions. Some were happy that at such a young age I became a heroine. Some told me that my acting can gain more maturity and sheen if I had waited for a couple more years. My dad was amazed that I could perform so well. My grandma was in tears.
 What are your future projects?
I getting some offers, but I don’t want to repeat my roles. I’ve signed ‘Thiruvasagam’ with Navdeep as hero. The director is debutant Raja Mohan, and my role is that of a city girl, a school student. The shoot started in February. I’ve also signed a Telugu film with Surya, an upcoming hero of Telugu films. It’s directed by veteran cinematographer Ashok Kumar who is its cinematographer too. I’m looking forward to that.
Malini Mannath
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