All my short stories could be made into films today: Suhasini Maniratnam

Suhasini Maniratnam, a veteran of South Indian cinema with over 350 films, was recently in Hyderabad for a talk with theatre personality Mohammad Ali Baig. On the sidelines of the event, she sat down with Hyderabad Times for an exclusive conversation.

Excerpts:

‘My strength is making others act’Over the years, she has worn many hats in cinema — actor, director, writer — but she considers her ability to bring out the best in actors her greatest strength. “I think my biggest strength is making others act — as a director. I might not be a great script writer or shot-taker, but because of my acting background, my ability to make my actors act well is an advantage.”‘Sai Pallavi reminds me of me in my twenties’When asked about recent performances that inspired her, Suhasini points to the younger generation.

“I really like Sai Pallavi’s performances. She reminds me of me when I was in my twenties. She did a Tamil film called Amaran, it was excellent. I think she’s a brilliant actress.”

‘I used to write down fan calls for my uncle Kamal Haasan’During the talk with Mohammad Ali Baig, part of the Remembering Razia Baig series, the actress reflected on her journey in films and life in the presence of fans and industry friends. During the two-hour conversation, she shared memories of growing up in Madras with her uncle Kamal Haasan after her father’s accident.

She recalled handling his fan calls: “I had a notebook where I wrote down calls and messages for him. Girls would call and ask about his whereabouts.

” She also spoke about choosing roles carefully: “After my first film became a big success, I thought: ‘This is not how I want to perform in life.” On pursuing her ambitions, she shared her husband Mani Ratnam’s advice: “If you want to do something, do it now.” Would she revisit her earlier work with a fresh eye today? She says, “One of my short stories was made into a Tamil film.

I did eight short stories for Doordarshan in those days, and I think every story could now be made into a full-length film. One became Dumm Dumm Dumm with R Madhavan and Jyothika. Another was called Penn — woman. All the stories can be made into films today.”‘Hyderabad is my favourite city, after Chennai’Suhasini, who has acted in over 100 Telugu films, has many fond memories of Hyderabad. “I just love being in Telangana and Andhra.

After Chennai, I think Hyderabad is my favourite city. People are warm here,” she says. She recalls one vivid memory: “There was a producer called Hari Krishna in Hyderabad. Even if I was not shooting for his films, he would call me and make sure I came to his house for dinner. His wife, son, and all of them would be there, and a special meal would be cooked.

The hospitality of Hyderabad is amazing. It is one quality we should learn from the people here.”‘Whenever I think of Hyderabad, I remember Sridevi’The actress fondly remembers the time she spent with Sridevi while shooting in the city. “Whenever I think of Hyderabad, I remember all the good times I spent with Sridevi. We did a film here called Muddula Mogudu together. She had a great sense of humour. We laughed so much, danced together, and even went out for dinner. We were very good friends at that time.” She also recalls her early film Manchu Pallaki with Chiranjeevi.

“We shot in Journalist’s Colony. We didn’t have caravans, so I stayed in somebody’s house during the night shoot. They even gave me a shawl so mosquitoes wouldn’t bite me while we shot a song all night. It’s very fresh in my memories.” Another fond association, she says, is with late Akkineni Nageswara Rao. “He used to call us home for dinner. I still remember the house. Whenever I pass by, I think, this is where his house was.”

‘Learning languages was very tough for me’Having acted in films across different industries, Suhasini has had to master multiple languages, like Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, etc. “Learning a language was very difficult. I was like a one-language child — I knew only Tamil. From there, learning English itself was difficult, and suddenly Telugu, then Malayalam, then Kannada. It was tough for me, like being a school student.

Even today, I keep a notebook and write my dialogues.

I believe even if it’s your mother tongue, you should be thorough with your lines as an actor.”‘Right now, my passion is digital art’Outside the cinema, Suhasini’s curiosity continues to evolve. “Right now, my passion is digital art. I learnt calligraphy, I’m interested in perfume making, and this is my latest passion.” Showing a digital painting of her husband Mani Ratnam’s shadow at their Kodaikanal home in her phone, she adds, “I like trying different things. Last year, I started Bharatanatyam again. I do try a lot of new things. I’m open to learning.

That’s the most important thing, I’d say.”

"Get the latest updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2."