Even today, when Raai Laxmi gangs up with her buddies for a movie night, the list is always packed with horror flicks. “That’s my favourite genre,” says Laxmi. Little wonder then that the lissom actress has been part of two superhits from that genre ( Muni 2: Kanchana and Aranmanai ). She is also awaiting the release of a third — Sowkarpettai .
Speaking from Mumbai, where she is recuperating after a surgery on both legs to heal a stress injury, Laxmi says she’s taking this break after shooting back-to-back for Julie 2 (Hindi), Sardaar Gabbar Singh (Telugu) and the Telugu/Tamil remake of Bangalore Days .
But the first to release will be Sowkarpettai , co-starring Srikanth and directed by Vadivudaiyan, where she plays a ghost. “There’s some connect between horror stories and me, I guess,” she laughs. “Even though I try to avoid doing another one, I keep signing up. The story of Sowkarpettai was novel and offered great scope. A horror film is all about treatment, rather than the story. This one has a revenge angle and the script’s good. What clinched the deal was when some people wondered if I was too good-looking to be a ghost. I love challenges; I decided to instil fear like never before.”
This compulsive need to take on challenges has seen Laxmi doing many forgettable films too. “I’m happy I tried. I was only 15 when I made my debut in Karka Kasadara . I blundered my way through the first four-five years. I chose films that took me nowhere. Finally, it took a Bru coffee ad directed by Rajiv Menon to bring me back on track. Director Jeeva saw it and signed me up for Dhaam Dhoom . That paved the way for my second innings,” she says, candidly.
There came a stage when Laxmi knew she had to orchestrate her life better or she would have to leave the industry. She was at home for six months without work. “Good movies or bad, I was constantly working, and suddenly I was at home. Everyone struggles to make a debut; I struggled after a successful debut. That taught me a lot. Today, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.”
She made a decision to be part of multi-starrers. “They offered offbeat characters. And, I was back .” Laxmi is happy age is still on her side, 10 years into the industry. “I’m looking my best now. I’ve always been into fitness, athletics. And now, I’ve also learnt to focus on my work, and do limited, quality work. ”
Coming soon:
In the Bangalore Days remake, Laxmi reprises Isha Talwar’s role of an airhostess. “A remake of a successful film is always interesting,” she says.
In the Telugu Sardar Gabbar Singh , Laxmi signed up for a special appearance, but the role’s become bigger. “This is the break I was looking at in Telugu.”
In Hindi, Laxmi makes her debut with Julie 2 . It is also her 50th film as actor. “It is part of the Julie (Neha Dhupia) franchise and the film is about a simple girl’s life and the choices she makes.”
She’s also part of A.R. Muragadoss’ Akira , a remake of Mouna Guru . “It is a special appearance, but a privilege being a part of such a film.”
