Fizz factor

When a peppy collegian from Bangalore traipses her way into the Tamil film industry, she is sure to make heads turn. Meet Rupa Manjari, who debuts with Ajmal in Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru, but has her sights firmly fixed on Bollywood

Bangalore girl Rupa Manjariu00a0 debuts in the Tamil filmu00a0 Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru with Ajmal, the guy who scorched the screen in Anjathe.

Fresh-faced, bubbly and refreshingly candid, this student of Jyoti Nivas College, who is now being hailed as someone to watch out for in the film, says modelling or acting was never in her grand scheme of life.

"I did not have a portfolio. My uncle Jeeva, who works with K S Ravikumar as assistant director, casually asked me whether I wanted to act in films. I met Nandini J S, the director of Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru, I liked the script and I liked the way Nandini treatedu00a0 me. She has a great sense of humour and an ability to put people at ease, so I said yes to the project," explains Rupa.

Film buff to film star

The chatty collegian says growing up in a cosmopolitan city like Bangalore, with a strong film culture, has its advantages. "I grew up watching and enjoying films of all languages," she says.

True confessions

Her favourite hunk remains Hrithik Roshan and she never tires of watching Angelina Jolie in Changeling. "That's a classy film. Be it the script, the screenplay or the characterization, it scores on every count. I also enjoyed Farhan Akhtar's Rock On. There are not too many films dedicated to music in India," she says.

Debut drama

On her role in Thiru Thiru..., she says, "The director and the crew made sure that I was comfortable in front of the camera. In fact, I was told to be my natural self. I didn't think I was acting. The character I play is rather like me, so no extra effort there! It's was only in the romantic scenes that I had to make the effort," she says with a loud guffaw.

Sounding like a veteran, she says offers are coming her way but adds that she ain't in any hurry to sign up.
"I want Thiru Thiru... to hit the theatres first. I am looking at scripts. And, if there's something I like I will grab it with both hands! But one day, it will be destination Bollywood." Haven't we heard that one before?

High on enthusiasm

Sathyam Cinemas and Real Image hope to break new ground in Tamil cinema with Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuru. The cast and crew of the film comprises new talent. The director, cinematographer, music director and actors are newbies. Thiru Thiru Thuru Thuruu00a0 will be the first Tamil film to have an all-digital release in India and abroad. The movie will be released in Telugu too. Shot on Red One camera, it will be post produced in 4K resolutions. Digital colour grading will be executed on Digital Vision's Film Master, making it the first Indian film to be finished on this system.