Tamannaah

Acting in an epic and a non-fictional film is a big challenge for actors, as they need to research extensively about the characters they are playing before stepping into their shoes.

I was offered my first film right after my 10th board exams. Back then, I didn't even know they made films in the South. Films, I thought, were either in Hindi or English.

Over the years, I have realised that it takes a great team for a film to succeed.

The audience is expecting good work from me. They want me to do roles that are unique and important in the story. So, I am trying to focus on different characters to play. I am doing the kind of films which are completely different from each other.

In South, the actresses are expected to be fuller, unlike Bollywood. The sensibilities are totally different.

People think actresses have fame and money, but they are not aware of the difficulties we undergo. People should understand that we are sacrificing so much for our survival.

In commercial cinema, roles for heroines are limited to being simple or glamorous. I don't want to fall into an image trap.

I've been part of the biggest hits and flops.

As an actor, I do not come with preconceived notions. I am like clay that can be moulded or like a sponge that can absorb things. I do what the director wants me to do.

I had a lot of fear of height, but 'Baahubali' has helped me overcome it.

As far as the industries go, in the North, they think I'm a South Indian actress; down South, I've always been thought of as a Bombay girl. I guess it's sort of an identity crisis, even though I'd like to belong to all the industries.

It's nice to be part of a film that will be watched by a large audience.