I feel I've completed my one round of 20 years well: Simran

The year 2025 has been a milestone year for Simran, not just because it marks 30 years of her debut — her first film, Sanam Harjai , released on August 25, 1995 — but more importantly, because she has been part of two blockbusters — Tourist Family and Good Bad Ugly.

In a conversation with Chennai Times , the actress talks about what the landmark means to her and reflects on her remarkable journey so far. Excerpts:This is your 30th year in the industry. How do you see your journey in cinema?I feel very good. I feel proud of myself and I pat myself on my back and keep reminding myself that I have to go another round... 30 years more entertaining my audience.When you began, what were your dreams really? Did you have an inspiration, or was it, ‘Let me try my luck and see where it takes me’?I love Sridevi ma’am and Vyjayanthimala ma’am, and always followed the way they acted and danced. They are my inspiration, but I never wanted to be like them.

I just wanted to keep working. Whatever I do, it should be good — that was my main aim.Was there any specific goal that you had when you started out?I feel hard work is the key for anything you want to do. There’s a saying, ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.’ So, you just have to give your 100 per cent. When I got movies down south, I came from Bombay and just knew I had to give this a shot. In those days, we had film cameras where they’d load magazines of film rolls. The more the magazines the more the expense.

So, I used to rehearse a lot and then just do it.

And that became my habit.Were there any doubts shifting to the south from Bombay?No, because I love the way movies are made down south. People here are more disciplined. And they give you a proper space where you can be free enough to showcase your potential. The stories are very sensible and the people very down-to-earth. So, this was the major thing in my mind which made me stay back. And I’m glad I’m still here!What are the changes that you see over these 30 years?I think technology has changed and digitalisation has brought the world together.

There is no competition, and everyone has their own mark to reach. So, it all depends on you, what you want to do, your choices. OTT has really bought world cinema home and we no longer have to go to Hindi to get recognition. So, that is a huge plus. Tamil cinema has been giving some lovely films and very good actors, both male and female, for many decades.

And now is the time when you can just do Tamil or South Indian movies and be recognised all over the world.Do you think opportunities have opened up for actresses in their 40s, unlike in the earlier days?Yeah, it has changed drastically. I don’t think the criteria that you can’t act once you get married or have a child exists anymore.As someone who married in the peak of her career, how did you navigate this phase in the early 2000s, because the industry was not as open at that time as it is now?

I never looked for the kind of roles that I did in the pre-marriage phase of my career because I knew I was stepping into a different world. I wanted to make a transition. You become more responsible towards your family. So, I did films like Vaarnam Aayiram , Petta , Seemaraja , Mahaan , some cameos, Post and now, films like Tourist Family .

I was always very clear in what I wanted to do, and made sure that my films were well recognised.

Has the process in which you choose films changed from how you picked 20-30 years ago? As an actor grows, so does their responsibility. And that actually makes you take some wise decisions. The choices that you make are ones that you feel would be right for that time. With me, the pattern of working with new directors has remained the same from the beginning. I’m always ready for young talent because they come with a lot of determination and zero ego.

That creates a comfortable zone. And if the director is clear in his mind, it’s good for the whole team and that’s how it’s worked out for me, be it Vaalee or Thullatha Manamum Thullum or now, Tourist Family .On working in Bollywood…For me, what matters first is who I’m working with; if the team is good, there is a connection, and then the project will really turn out well. I haven’t met many people in Hindi who are good at heart and welcoming, but with Gulmohar , it was a very good team.

So, we made a very good film. Around the same time, I did another project, where I did not connect at all. And while I’m OK with look tests, many in Bollywood still ask me to send them test videos to see if I’d suit a role, and want me to work for one-tenth of what I’m paid here.

So, I’ve decided that I’d do Hindi projects only if they are actually aware of me.‘As a family, we bond over movies’Family support plays a huge role in one’s success. Just like how they say behind every man there’s a successful woman, as a woman, I’d say my husband has been a huge support for me.

As a family, we bond over movies. Our sons are interested in films, but it’s too early to say whether their interest is going to sustain. So, let’s see in a few years.On her GBU cameo and Thottu Thottu Pesum Sulthana ...When Adhik Ravichandran called me and explained what he was planning, I could imagine how the vibe in the theatre would be. I felt it would really entertain the audience and connect them with Vaalee of 1999. So, I said yes. Thottu Thottu is one of my favourite songs.

It was nice to see Arjun (Das) and Priya (Prakash Varrier) groove and use the same steps and costumes, too. Later, I also saw loads of videos of people wearing the same costume and dancing to the steps.

It was a very nice feeling. It felt like I’d completed my one round of 30 years well.On Tourist Family’s success…Tourist Family , I’m getting a lot of small and medium-budget scripts that are also female-centric. Strangely, there haven’t been any offers from big productions or filmmakers. I’ve delivered hits in every decade of my career, so I’m happy that a lot of newcomers are looking at me as their route to success.

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