'All this praise is mine'

"My Amuda took shape in my mind," recalls director Mani Ratnam, of the pivotal character of his just-released film Kannathil Muthamittal, "but I could not find her anywhere. And then I saw her, in the family picture in (actor-director-producer) Parthipan's book of poems, Kirukalugal, and I knew that Keerthana was my Amudha. Now, everyone who has seen the film agrees that my selection has not gone wrong."

That is how Keerthana, daughter of Parthipan and erstwhile actress Seeta, became a star. The student of Church Park, Chennai, was easily the highlight of the film, turning in a brilliant performance that stole the show from seasoned artistes like Madhavan, Simran and Nandita Das.

Pearl met the budding child star at her home in Valsaravakkam, in suburban Chennai. Excerpts from an interview:

Did you get interested in films after watching your parents?

No, not at all. My dad never takes us for his shoots. And my mom quit acting when she got married. Mom actually is very strict – when we get back from school, she permits some time for play but there are stipulated hours for us to study, and she insists on that. She wants me to be a doctor – actually, I want to be a space scientist when I grow up. My father just wants us all to study well, that is all.

When my father released a book of his own poems, he had put a family photograph in there. Mani uncle saw that and liked me in it. So he asked my parents for permission. They were reluctant. Mani uncle gave them some time to think about it and persuaded them to agree. For me, it was not something to dread --- Mani uncle is so soft that I enjoyed the whole experience.

You say you have never visited a shoot --- were you not nervous when it came to facing the camera?

How could I have been? Mani uncle doesn't even raise his voice. It is like when I don't understand something in school, the teacher explains it till I understand. Mani uncle was like that, he would keep explaining everything, making it easy for me.

He told me the story like I was a grown-up. That is when I realised the story pivots around my character. That made me happy. And then involvement followed. My mother would come for my shoots. If I missed anything, she would point it out for me. Madhavan uncle and Simran aunty also pampered me a lot, made me feel like a princess. They told me I should be natural. When the scene required me to be angry, they told me to react as if I were at home and reacting to something in real life that made me angry.

Didn't you have to miss school? Church Park, where you study, is known for discipline and attendance and all that...

That's another story. It was a problem, really. Initially, we thought I could go for shooting only when I had holidays. But obviously that was not sufficient, so I had to take leave. At first, we made the usual excuses --- headache, fever, jaundice. It was like leaving it to God, simply bunking.

Now, after seeing the film, everyone at school liked my work. That is a relief since they know why I was absconding. Now, I have become a star in the school. Everyone stops by for a word and a smile, so it is okay now.

Other than your schoolmates and teachers, what has the feedback been like?

I got a lot of praise from people in the industry. Like Vijaykumar uncle and Manjula aunty (former marquee names turned character artistes). Manjula aunty kissed me and told me, "You have done in one film what we haven't done in our career." Radhika aunty, Sripriya aunty, they all praised me.

Mani uncle told me that all this praise was mine, I fully deserved it. But I think I only did what he told me to, what he taught me to do.

So then, do you find it easy to act? And do you want to continue?

Well, it seems very easy, yes. But my parents will decide if I want to continue. Actually, for myself, I don't have any desires. If they allow me to continue, I will, but I also know my mother is concerned about my education. She won't want it interrupted. And I am a little girl, after all. Let me study, too. Let me not think of ambition, acting career and all that just now.

You said you are a star at school. Do you like the adulation you are getting?

Not really. My parents have been actors but we have not been to shoots or film parties. Even at school, we are encouraged to keep a low profile. Occasionally, when my mom comes to school, I get noticed as "her daughter".

Now I am recognised for myself. I find I can't be easy and relaxed any more, like I was earlier. I guess I have to get used to it.