Keerthy Suresh on Mahanati: Savitri's personal life is 80 per cent of her biopic
In an exclusive interview with IndiaToday.in, actress Keerthy Suresh who is playing the role of Savitri, talks about the hard work that went into the making of Mahanati, Nadigayar Thilagam in Tamil.
It has only been five years since Keerthy Suresh made her acting debut. She started off with Mollywood and eventually stepped foot in Tamil and Telugu. In just two years since her debut, she became one of the most sought-after actresses in the Tamil film industry, having acted with the likes of Sivakarthikeyan, Vijay and Suriya.
2018 is probably the best year for Keerthy given that she has over five films in different stages of production. From being a part of commercial films to doing a titular role in a period film, she has come a long way.
After signing Mahanati/Nadigaiyar Thilagam, she gave her everything and the result is quite evident from the 50-second teaser that was released recently. While the actress is gearing up for the release of Mahanati on May 9, IndiaToday.in caught up with her for a no-holds-barred interview.
Q. What was your first reaction when you were approached for Savitri's biopic?
A. When I was first approached, I didn't accept it immediately since I had my fair share of doubts. I was doing commercial scripts and I didn't know if I could take on this huge responsibility. We know Savitri amma's story and I was sceptical about doing justice to her acting. I was also concerned that my imitation of Savitri amma's scenes shouldn't be perceived in a wrong manner.
But Nag gave me a lot of confidence that I'd be able to pull it off. And he also ensured that we were not portraying it in a wrong way. In fact, this film is like a tribute to actress Savitri. After I joined the team, I was really happy to be part of it.
Q. In the very beginning, you had spent time on look tests, trying to perfect Savitri's get-up. How tedious was it and did you give your inputs as well?
A. Of course! I know the basics of how Savitri wore her blouse, lipstick, bindi and the way she highlights her eye with eyeliner. The production, Nag Ashwin and the costume designer went a step ahead. Usually, for other films, I need to keep a track of costumes and how they fit me. I had less work in Mahanati because they were clear right from the beginning.
In terms of fabric, I used to give suggestions. My inputs were always there, but I had less pressure in this film since they took real good care of it. They went beyond whatever I thought they would do. It made my work easier.
Q. You said you had to wear 120 costumes and prosthetics for the role of Savitri throughout the film. Did it restrict your expressions?
A. There were a lot of restrictions. Because of the prosthetics, I didn't have to go over the top. If I had to smile or express myself, I had to be extremely careful while moving my facial muscles to prevent the prosthetic from forming cracks. I had to be a statue, more or less. I couldn't eat proper food since I couldn't chew. I wore huge pads on my body.
Actually, I didn't know that I had to struggle this hard. I knew there would be four hours of make-up. The process of getting the make-up done was really irritating and my skin was damaged as well. It was like I was wearing a mask for 10 hours.
We shot for longer hours, which we were not supposed to. But, it all turned out to be worth it, now that I see the reception the film is getting. I feel that it's okay to sacrifice something for a project like this.
Q. When the project was announced, there was a section of people who thought that you wouldn't be able to pull off this role. But, after seeing the teaser, people have been unanimous in their love for you. How do you feel?
A. To be frank, I didn't pay attention to all the negative comments on social media in the beginning. Only during the press meet in Chennai, lyricist Madhan Karky took to the stage to share some of them. That's when I came to know that people had doubts about me. I knew people would have their doubts on whether I could pull it off or not. In fact, for any film, you are bound to receive negative comments.
Even when the teaser was released, I was lost in terms of judgement. We've done so many looks in the movie and I didn't know in which frame I'd look like Savitri. In fact, I was clueless as to which scene would make it to the trailer. I had a hundred doubts in me. When I saw the comments on the teaser, I was really happy.
This response from people made me more confident. I'm a lot more positive now.
Q. What was the research work that you did from your side?
A. I saw a lot of video clippings and revisted her films. And then I met her daughter, who spoke about Savitri amma's characteristics. I grabbed most of what she said. My mom, Menaka, gave me a lot of inputs about Savitri. She told me that Savitri was left-handed and used to wear her bindi in a particular way. She [my mother] knows a lot of people who have been with the legendary actress in the past.
It is just a lot of information that I needed to get. In the movie, I needed a character to carry her along. But none of us knows how she is personally. We have only seen her films and when I listened to her radio interview, I could understand her character.
I could figure out that she was playful, bold, and health conscious and had a great sense of humour. So, once I gained all this information, I was able to make out her character and portray it.
Q. What was more challenging? Enacting scenes from her film or her off-screen personality?
A. Both! People have seen her films and I'd definitely not be able to do it exactly like her. I have to do the best version to achieve what Savitri amma has achieved. When it comes to her off-screen personality, people in the industry know about her. But the audience would have no clue about how she was behind the screen.
So, to actually create a character and pull it off was equally challenging. In the film, 80 per cent focus is on her personal life, while 20 per cent will have scenes from her films.
Q. Will we see different phases of Savitri in the film? Apart from physical transformation, what kind of changes have you brought in, in each phase?
There are different stages of Savitri's life in this film. We've covered her childhood, teenage, when she was just an upcoming heroine, when she ruled the roost and her downfall as well. So, it was more of a gradual documentation of her life. As the story progresses, the character's emotion will show its way.
Q. Did you rehearse in front of or talk about the film with your mother and grandmother?
A. No, their inputs were more over the phone about Savitri's appearance and characteristics. Once... when my mom visited the sets and unfortunately I was recreating a scene (laughs). She watched the original on her phone and started telling me that my eyes and hands should be this way. She gave a lot of inputs. But, I'm happy that the scene turned out well.
Q. How was the experience of living the life of Savitri through the movie?
A. I haven't gotten to be part of such a project in the past, and I don't think I ever will. I've gone through my good days and there were days I was depressed too during the shoot. More than that, the project is out there to give out positive vibes.
I was emotionally attached to the film and the team as I have worked for more than a year. The technicians have worked on it for two years. For me, being part of this movie is emotional and I'm sure I will not get such an opportunity in future.
Q. Were there any rehearsal sessions for the scenes featuring you and Dulquer Salmaan?
A. It was more of a spontaneous reaction during the shoot, for both of us. We had rehearsals only for those scenes which were recreated. Also, for the song Mouna Mazhayile, we had to rehearse the expressions.
We never rushed during the shoot. It was more like a rehearsal (smiles).
Q. The story of Savitri is told through Samantha's eyes. Do you guys meet at any point in the film?
A. Let's keep that a surprise (laughs)!
Q. You have Thalapathy 62 and Saamy 2 in your kitty. You have acted with most of the A-listers in such a short span of time. Was it something that you had expected you would achieve?
A. I don't know! I still don't know what to answer. It all came my way and I'm just going with the flow.
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