Tamannaah on playing warrior princess in ‘Baahubali’ and why she is grateful for her Bollywood failures

“When I had been approached for ‘Baahubali’, the film had already been shot for a year,” said Tamannaah.

When asked if she was taking a gamble investing so much time in one mega project, the actress replied, “I wouldn’t say it was a risk at all because for people who follow SS Rajamouli’s work will know that he makes the most likable films and they are relate-able to everybody. Most of the times, his films don’t require a language because they are universal in content. It was a new experience, because nobody has ever attempted to make a war film in India before. But, Rajamouli had spent one year doing pre-production from the weapons, the armour and the set – everything was pre-designed. It took them a year to sketch it, prepare it and execute it.”

Having more that 3000 people on set at times, Tamannaah shared what it was like shooting for such a large scale production. “We used to have mock shoots before we actually shot the scene because sometimes they are so many people on set and you can’t keep explaining to people what they have to do, especially for the war scenes.”

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Being one of the first few actresses to be seen in an action role, she says, “I had to take a bit of training in sword fighting, martial arts and rope work. The film is not a very dialogue oriented film and most of the scenes that I am in are action scenes, which is not something we’re used to. So, I had to be prepared. In Hollywood, women doing action is a very common thing, but we still haven’t warmed up to it here. I really hope something like a ‘Charlie’s Angels’ is made at some point in our country because it would be quite cool to see women fight.”

“It was very physically challenging but it was made easier because Rajamouli basically has his entire family on set – his son is the first AD, his wife is the costume designer, his father has written the script, his cousin is the music director. So it’s actually like a big family making a film,” she added further.

Tamannaah admits she was clueless as to what her character was all about before she joined the ‘Baahubali’ cast of Prabhas, Rana Daggubati and Anushka Shetty. “Before I came on board, I heard it’s a war film, it’s a period film and I really wondered what I’m doing in it. A year had been spent doing it and I didn’t know whether Rajamouli was going to offer me a special appearance in the film because they already had another actress in the film. Even in the south film industry, people thought I was playing a cameo. But, when I heard my part, I was very excited and here I am playing Avantika, who is also the female love interest of Prabhas’ character.”

About working with co-star Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah said, “I had very little screen time with her, but I know her from when I started working. When I came into the industry, I didn’t really have a costume designer and she was the only actress I knew. So, I asked her for help and she was kind enough to give me her costume designer’s contact. And that’s the first interaction I had with her. So, I think she is a huge star not only because of being professionally successful, but also because she is a really nice person.”

While most actresses might feel insecure to share the screen with female co-stars, Tamannaah says she has no such qualms.

“In a film like ‘Baahubali’, everybody’s character is clearly etched and we know what we’re going to do. Also, we’re dealing with a director who has a reputation of projecting his actors and actresses very strongly onscreen. He makes sure to do justice to his actors and hence there was no confusion and everybody was very happy to be a part of the film.”

The actress also denied being jittery about its release, “I haven’t been scared for the bad films I’ve done so for a film like this I’m not at all nervous. I plan to act. As long as I’m acting, I will choose the best offer from the ones that come my way. Language has never been a barrier for me otherwise I would never have gone to the South film industry. Just like I didn’t expect ‘Baahubali’ to come in my life, I cannot predict what will come next. After ‘Himmatwala’, people wondered why I did ‘Humshakals’. But, if something good comes up, I am not somebody who has 10,000 hang-ups in my head. But, Sajid Khan gave me an opportunity in Hindi films and I will always have that respect for him.”

Though Tamannaah is yet to experience box office success with her Bollywood choices, the actress does not regret the films she’s been a apart of.

“The films have failed but it doesn’t stop me from going ahead and doing what I do. At the same time, it is interesting to see what the failure of your films teach you because even success doesn’t teach you this. The learning experience is a good reality check, it broadens your mind and makes you more aware of how you should be. So, having those experiences has helped me go ahead in my career.”

“Being a part of Hindi films has opened my eyes to a new sense of fashion which I didn’t have earlier because I wasn’t exposed enough to understand what they meant and I wouldn’t understand why somebody fusses over a shoe or a brand so much. But, today fashion has taken a strong part in my life, so much so, that I have launched a jewellery line called ‘White and Gold’ online.”

The actress also spoke about Bollywood director Karan Johar who is presenting Baahubali. “Karan Johar’s faith in ‘Baahubali’ has reassured us a lot because a director of his stature taking up a regional film and putting it out there is definitely reassuring. If anybody can project this film to its optimum, it’s Karan Johar and we’re lucky to have him.”

About her next projects, Tamannaah said, “One is a bilingual film with Nagarjuna and Karthi, wherein I am paired opposite Karthi. It’s shot in Tamil and Telugu. I’m also doing a film with Ravi Teja. Both the films are very different in genre. While the Karthi – Nagarjuna film is loosely based on French film, ‘The Intouchables’, Ravi Teja’s is a straight Telugu commercial film.”