Kangana Ranaut on Chandramukhi 2, comparisons with Jyotika: ‘I am the original Chandramukhi’

He added, “To do a sequel to a Rajinikanth sir’s film, and that too with director P Vasu sir, is itself a great honour for me. I got the blessings of the superstar for doing the film.”

Kangana Ranaut, meanwhile, was excited about returning to Tamil cinema with Chandramukhi 2. “This is my third film in Tamil after Dham Dhoom and Thalaivii. I am happy all three have been good. Especially, Chandramukhi 2 because I haven’t done such a colourful film with elements like drama, fights, and songs. It is also a high point in my career to work with Raghava Lawrence sir, who made me so comfortable on the sets,” she said.

Raghava Lawrence is a director himself and has made one of the biggest hit franchises of Tamil cinema, the Kanchana series. When asked if he gave inputs to P Vasu while making Chandramukhi 2, Lawrence said, “How can I say anything to such a big director? I did whatever was asked of me by him. Only when it comes to comedy scenes, I made some suggestions.”

He added, “When I direct films, I wouldn’t like it if someone interferes with my scripts and ideas. When I know that, I wouldn’t go and do something about someone else’s idea. I will just do whatever is told to me.”

Kangana Ranaut revealed that there is a difference between the different iterations of Chandramukhi that have been enacted so far and hers in the upcoming film. “I am a fan of Jyotika ma’am’s Chandramukhi myself. However, unlike before, I am playing the real Chandramukhi in this film. I am not the one who gets possessed by Chandramukhi. That’s the difference. My character will reveal why she became a ghost in the first place. Lakshmi Menon’s character is the one which is inspired by Jyotika ma’am’s character. What I am doing in the film is playing the original Chandramukhi (laughs).”

Raghava Lawrence added, “Jyotika ma’am had to assume she is Chandramukhi and do what she thinks Chandramukhi would do. But this is original. Kangana plays the real person. So, comparing both performances will not be fair. For example, in my film Kanchana, when Sarathkumar’s ghost gets into my body, I become something else. However, Sarathkumar’s character in person is soft-natured. So, that’s the difference.”

Lawrence then shared about playing the role of Vettaiyan, which was first depicted by his idol Rajinikanth in Chandramukhi. “Ahead of Chandramukhi’s release, I was wondering why Thalaivar accepted this film because the posters and promo didn’t look anything like a Superstar film. Even during the first half of the film, Thalaivar disappears for a while. But after the entry of Vettaiyan, I understood the reason. So, when Vasu sir told me I have to play his character, I was a bit hesitant.”

The biggest challenge for the actor-filmmaker was to stop emulating Rajinikanth’s performance and make sure that he was not showing any traces of the Tamil superstar in the film. “As it is, I kind of have a Thalaivar influence. Now, when I have to put on the make-up of Vettaiyan, Thalaivar automatically shows up in the acting. However, Vasu sir was particular that I should do my version of the character. So, at times, he would tell me, ‘Thalaivar is showing up,’ and I have to do it again. But whenever I asked Vasu sir to enact the scene, he would also emulate Thalaivar and we would joke about it.”

During the interaction, Kangana Ranaut was also asked about the kind of change she wants to see when it comes to female actors in the Indian film industry, and the Queen actor said that she wants to see senior actors like Madhuri Dixit and Kajol doing many leading roles. “It is far better now than what it was in the 80s and 90s. But I want to see more films from these actresses. Like a film with a 65-year-old Sunny Deol has done well. The same thing should happen with actresses.”

Lastly, Kangana has been vocal about her thoughts on the political climate of the country, which has led to several controversies over the years. However, she says that there are no ulterior motives for her actions. When asked if she would get into politics following the footsteps of South Indian stars like Vijaya Shanthi, Roja, Kushbhu, and Jayalalithaa, Kangana said, “I am generally an aware and responsible person. A lot of people say that I say and do things to get into politics. That’s not true. I am a pakka desh bhakt. There’s no ulterior motive to this. I am happy with my life now, and I have worked hard to get here. I don’t know if I want to start a new career from scratch.”