Actress Maanu, who was last seen on the screen in 1998 Tamil romantic-drama "Kadhal Mannan", has faced the arclight after 15 years for upcoming Tamil thriller "Enna Satham Intha Neram". She says the long hiatus has helped her grow as an artist.
"I may have stopped acting after 'Kadhal Mannan', but I've been busy performing across the globe since then. Therefore, the artist in me is still alive and kicking and I feel I've only grown as a performer since then," Maanu told IANS.
A Bharatanatyam dancer, she has been busy with her performances around the world.
"Since so many years have gone by, things are a lot clearer in the head. Life is simpler and I don't have to run for the heroine category anymore. I play a role of my age in the film, mother of a seven year-old quadruplets. I didn't want to do a role I couldn't justify," she said.
Directed by Guru Ramesh, "Enna Satham Intha Neram" also stars Jeyam Raja, Nitin Satya and Malavika in important roles. It has already been featured in Limca Book of Records for being the first film to feature quadruplet actors.
She will wear grease paint only for meaty roles.
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"It's very difficult to get similar roles for going forward. I definitely don't want to do something irrelevant. I don't want to take up any character role that comes my way. I am not craving to act, but if I get to do an interesting role even for a minute, I don't mind taking up," she said.
Working with children in "Enna Satham Intha Neram" was an exhilarating experience for the actress.
"I was as good or as bad as a newcomer because I was out of action for so long. These four kids were like four angels and they were intelligent, cute, mischievous as well as disciplined. Although I was a little nervous, I was equally excited to act with them," she said.
"They seemed like they have been acting for ages. This film also has some message for the audiences and that was also one of the reasons why I agreed to act. As an artist you tend to hold on to certain responsibility towards the society. So doing the film meant something to me," said Maanu.
Married to a doctor, she currently promotes all forms of art under her company Maanu Arts.
"I have been busy with Maanu Arts for the last five years. We promote creative art for a cause and that has been the motto of my company. Whatever I'm doing now goes for charity. I also plan to have a charity show of the film," she added.