ACTRESS CATHERINE TRESA INTERVIEW

Home > Text Interviews

"I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF MARRIAGE"

Interview Team : Abishek Raaja; Avudaiappan; Venkat; Jyothsna

A charming woman is a busy woman and ever since she donned the charming role of Kalaiarasi in Madras, Catherine Tresa has been one of the most welcome and busy heroines of Tamil cinema. Her third venture Kanithan has hit the celluloid and here the actress and model verbalizes about the film and much more to Abishek Raaja.




 

About juggling projects and how you respond to your film’s reception?  

Kathakali was shot way after I started shooting for Kanithan. I picked up Kanithan after 10 days of shoot for Madras. I was doing two different roles with contrasting looks and it was quite interesting.  I had to simultaneously shoot for both these totally dissimilar films. At the end of the day, I just hope that the film receives good response considering the kind of effort that goes into the making of it. With a lot of sincerity and too much money involved, nobody would want their project to fail. It is just my wish that, how they related to Madras and Kathakali, the same should prevail for Kanithan also. And, if you are talking about the business part of a film, I’m not very informed about it. I cannot even comment on it but I do know that numbers matter a lot and I want my every film to be a hit. By the time my film releases, I’ll be onto the other and lot of my thoughts would revolve around the current project. I need to accept and absorb them all, as it is.
 

I picked up Kanithan after 10 days of shoot for Madras.

 

Your understanding of Tamil cinema before and after becoming an actress.

I started with a Kannada film when I was in college.  But I was always certain about doing Tamil and Telugu films because of the quality in which they were made.  A film depends on the audience and the kind of genuine film lovers out here, there is a demand and necessity to do brilliant films. You have their encouragement and support. The directors here are also open-minded by giving the space to show our own individuality. Also talking about the variety in genres, for an actor like me, it gives so much freedom to explore and attempt. Though there might be a change in perception of things, there is a definite rise in respect and regards for Tamil cinema.

I was always certain about doing Tamil and Telugu films because of the quality in which they were made.

 

Is language a barrier for a performer?

You have to basically like what you do, at least for me. I am absolutely in love with what I’m doing. My policy is, if you do something, do it fair and square. Not waste time on things you are half-minded about.  I love cinema and language is just a way of communicating to people. Thankfully, I have an excellent memory and I can pick up lines in a wink. Till date, I haven’t gone beyond two takes.  

Thankfully, I have an excellent memory and I can pick up lines in a wink.

 

Why did you take up Kanithan?

Strictly speaking, the subject that it deals with. Director Santhosh had a very fresh perspective about filmmaking and story-telling. He being a first timer, all his ideas were new and untried. I haven’t heard of a film which talks about the forgery of certificates and the consequences of it. The film has a lot of fascinating characters and how the whole event unfolds is also quite engaging. We met at a hotel and he started talking to me around 8 pm and I usually doze off by like 10. But I was glued to his narration and it went way past eleven. Even that’s a reason why I signed on the dotted line.

I usually doze off by like 10. But I was glued to his narration and it went way past eleven.

 

With such slickness while talking English, how does a non-English speaking director actually communicate with you when extracting work?

 I think it depends on the intention. Ranjith and I were working hand in hand for what you saw as an output in Madras. We had to discuss a lot and then stage a scene. We did have hurdles while communicating, but when the director is sure of what he wants, he will somehow get it. When there is a will, there is a way. When there are basic grammatical errors while communicating, it’s just trivial; they are like background noise. Director’s exact want of an emotion is clear, language cannot be a problem. Ranjith would clearly explain to me in English and I got it. And when he preferred Tamil to bring out the actual essence, I still got it.   

When he preferred Tamil to bring out the actual essence, I still got it.

 

How do you take it when a film doesn’t go by what was promised?

I’ve heard of things happening like that; fortunately I’m yet to encounter it. My films got exactly what was written or sometimes better. In the case of Kathakali, what was planned got made. But in Madras, the final film got a lot more detailing than the script. Even in Kanithan, there were enhancements from what was told.

 

 Are you okay with women being objectified?

Frankly, I don’t watch a lot of films. I watch like 5 films a year. I still haven’t watched Rudhramadevi! So I really do not know about other heroines and their characters. If I have to address me and my work, I have to personally like the character that’s written for me and if I don’t see a point in it, I don’t take it up. The role has to make sense at some level and add value to the film. What’s the importance the character possesses, how will I look in it and what new can be offered; these are the criteria for me to select. In the case of women being objectified, I’m yet to come across that. Being portrayed well is important and I wouldn’t take up a position if it’s degrading.  

I still haven’t watched Rudhramadevi! So I really do not know about other heroines and their characters.

 

Talk about your wardrobe, please.  

I like well designed clothes. I’m a lover of apparels basically.  In fact, I’m a hoarder of clothes. Can be a Salwar Kameez, but it has to be made well. I’m not talking about the gaudy embroideries or costly material.  When you are on a 70 mm screen, the audience would like to see the colourful you for the kind of money they are paying. It could be a pair of earrings or the other accessories or even a shoelace, you need to wear the best. These little things mean a lot. I’m not saying you need to look rich all the time but the place, time and nature matters a lot. My wardrobe has a mix of all with clothes that show the real me and also ones that make me comfortable.  Thanks to my stylist for that.

My wardrobe has a mix of all with clothes that show the real me

 

How do you face linkups?

I haven’t been linked up till date. I’m not saying it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but if it’s about me and if it’s not true, I’m not going to respond to that. If it’s true, I might as well say it’s true. If I’m really seeing someone, I’m just going to admit it. What’s the big deal?   

If I’m really seeing someone, I’m just going to admit it.

 

Will marriage stop you from acting?

I still haven’t thought of things that far. I don’t believe in planning. I never had the idea of becoming an actress. I actually wanted to do a PhD in Biotechnology. As of now, I’m not a big fan of marriage. I have an open mind, but things might change. I right now love to be single. So if marriage comes in and I’m still going to be happy acting in films, I don’t see anything stopping me.

I’m not a big fan of marriage.

 

What do you do in your free time?

I’m quite a lazy person during my free time. I am a proper foodie.  I love my beauty sleep. I watch a lot of American TV and I have three wonderful dogs, they keep me busy and I cook once in three months.

I love my beauty sleep.

 

How do you deal with the proposals?

I welcome them, tend to sound friendly and I’m never rude to anybody. There have been a lot of guys who had the courage to come and propose but my reply has always been just thank you. There had been times when I liked them back, but that can’t be a relationship, that’s just a crush or puppy love.

There have been a lot of guys who had the courage to come and propose

 

What is love?

Not getting bored of someone. It is about accepting the real you and not coming up with clauses. I’m not going to change for anybody! Also the ability to keep things interesting, that’s a challenge. It is easy to fall in love, but to keep it alive and stay together; it takes a lot from each of us.  

 

 


FACEBOOK COMMENTS

ABOUT THIS PAGE

This page hosts exclusive interviews with actors, actresses, film technicians and related celebrities. The interviews are generally personal views of the guest about their projects and film related matters. People looking for information about actors, actresses, directors, music directors, cameramen and other technicians will find this page useful.