April 1, 2012
Her return to the film industry has created a buzz and producers and directors are vying to sign her on across the four south film industries.
April 1, 2012
Her return to the film industry has created a buzz and producers and directors are vying to sign her on across the four south film industries.
Now, she's back on sets after nearly a year shooting for Krish's Krishnam Vande Jagathguru in Hyderabad. With four films on hand now, Nayanthara seeks to quickly regain the numero position in the south she had when she decided to call it quits. In an exclusive tete-a-tete with us, the actress opens up about love, her break-up with ace choreographer-director Prabhu Deva and return to films.
Prabhu Deva and you were heading towards marriage and suddenly everything changed. What happened?
It happens. It's not just my relationship – you take any relationship or marriage, break-ups happen. There might be misunderstandings and problems on a day-to-day basis but when it gets to a level where you cannot handle it and it goes beyond saturation point, it becomes very difficult to handle. People change, things change, situations change – so it could be probably because of that – I really don't want to get into details because it's quite personal and I don't want to talk about it to the whole world.
I have always kept a dignified silence on whatever was being said and written about me. Now things have changed – when a relationship doesn't work, it doesn't work. There might be a hundred reasons for it or there might be no reason for it. When I am in a relationship, I give it my 100 per cent. But then if it doesn't work, you cannot help it. You cannot move ahead with something which isn't working.
When you got into this relationship, did you think this would happen?
Definitely not! Anything that you do in life, whether it's work or a relationship or marriage, you get into it with a lot of positivity. But I don't know whether it's destiny or whatever it just didn't work. We were probably not meant to be together…
During the time you were with Prabhu, there were a lot of stories written about how there were problems because of his ex-wife and that you didn't agree with him on certain things.
Did that bother you at all?
Yes. Like I said, it's your personal space. Just because you are actors or in the show business doesn't mean that your private life is on show for everyone else. Whatever we share with each other is private and when any news leaks out, it's blown out of proportion and made out to be something else.
Bad things written about me do bother me and affect me but then I have learnt to take it in my stride. I have also learnt to keep quiet about certain things. Once I start saying something, it'll turn into a never-ending story of he said, she said, they said…
Did these rumours affect your relationship with Prabhu?
No, it did not. As long as I with him, my relationship was very strong. Media reports definitely bothered us sometimes.
Then came the heartbreak, how did you deal with it?
That's too personal to get into…a break-up for anyone is the most difficult phase in their life. When you have to go away from someone you love or vice-versa, whatever the reason, it really shatters your life. But how you deal with it is important. I can't get into how I dealt with it but I have to if I want to move on and live my life.
Three and a half years invested in this relationship, have you changed as a person?
Yes, I have changed a lot as a person. I don't know whether it's for the good or the bad but I have definitely changed. (Laughs) It usually happens as when you are in a relationship you change for the other person. I think everyone does and I'm no different.
How does it feel to be single again now?
I think it's too early for me to say anything about the single space I am in right now. I was in a relationship for three and a half years so I still need to get over it completely. It'll take a lot of time.
Did you learn anything about yourself in this whole process?
I did but don't ask me what. (Laughs)
Has this failed relationship changed your perception of love?
I don't want to comment on love at all right now. That's my mental status today.
When you decided to move away from films, you were in the numero uno position in the south. Did you feel you it was a very big step to take?
It was a crucial step in life but as far as I am concerned, I am game for doing anything for love. I will do anything for love.
Any regrets all today?
No, none at all.
Have you removed the Prabhu tattoo on your hand?
I haven't – it's still there in the same place. As of now, I am planning to keep it.
Were you nervous to return to the sets after 11 months? How did you feel?
The day before the shoot, I did have mixed feelings. I wasn't tense or worried but I just wanted to start shooting. For me, it was a different state altogether earlier as I had a completely different mindset then.
The change from all that and to start afresh is like a completely new beginning for me in life. Whatever weirdness was there the day before the shoot, it disappeared once I faced the camera. I am all charged up now because this is what I love. I have a passion for acting and I love to be on the sets and work. I am happy that I am doing something that I love.
How do you see yourself fitting into the film industry today? Is it like you came back from a short break?
I think so. I don't think a lot of things have changed. I haven't taken a long break of three or four years, it was just an 11 month break. So there's no question of me having to 'fit in' again. I have been lucky enough to just start from where I had stopped.
I have been a given a very warm welcome from my friends in the industry. That has given me a lot of confidence. When I see the love that people give me, I feel blessed. My friends were happy then about my relationship and now they are happy that I am getting back to films.
Any wishlist now that you are back on the silverscreen?
I would like to work with people I haven't worked with so far. All the actors and directors we have today are extremely talented. I want to work with everyone.
Do we see you heading to Bollywood?
No, I am quite comfortable and happy with my south films. I get to work in different languages and I am very happy with the way our people treat me. Basically, I am from here and I feel more at home in our south industries.
Courtesy: TOI