Almost a year ago, Aishwarya Lekshmi had stated that, since the publication of Gatta Kusthi, she had not received the recognition she deserved in Tamil film. The actress is returning to Tamil cinema this year with both the family drama Maaman, which was released in the middle of May, and the upcoming blockbuster Thug Life, which will see her play the lead role in the Kamal Haasan-starrer under the direction of Mani Ratnam. Has her position altered at all?

"I will alter my perspective to the reality that I currently feel welcomed and at home in Tamil cinema." However, I have a strong sense of ambition that stems from my desire to prove myself. Aishwarya Lekshmi answers, "I want to accomplish a lot, and it's ingrained in many of the women I know."

Interview with Aishwarya Lekshmi:

The actress didn't know much when she first entered the world of film and did it for the enjoyment of it. Her first film, Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela, co-starring Nivin Pauly, was released in 2017. “I realized I wasn't good enough as an actor after that. I had no idea what was going on during the shoot. "From there, to my second film, Mayaanadhi, I began to love the process and since then, I have been in search of that little high I get," Aishwarya Lekshmi continues, recalling the precise instant she experienced it.

“In Mayaanadhi, Appu (her character) receives a call from Syam Pushkaran sir, who tells me the lines. I learned the art of acting at this point. Since then, I've been seeking that high that comes with performing, and you have a technique for it. This is what acting entails. I'm currently in the process of sharing new stories. It's wonderful to see how the movies I like may be used to convey a story.

‘Maaman talked about limits that should be established in a family’

The Tamil movie Maaman, which discussed the intensely close relationship between a maternal uncle and his nephew, recently featured Aishwarya Lekshmi. The film touched on subjects that may require expert assistance, like hyper activity and boundaries in children.

“Cinema talks about a particular story and Maaman as a story revolved around a particular family," the actor says about this. It addressed issues pertaining to limits, ADHD, and the reaction of the mother who waited ten years before giving birth. People will react negatively if they point fingers at anything they like so much. Perhaps she comes from a different tale. The talk that follows all of this is what I notice. A movie doesn't have to be a documentary that tells viewers what to do; it may simply spark conversation. One thing we never discuss in Tamil cinema is boundaries and how maintaining them will lead to healthy family systems.

She also discusses the need for society to engage in discussion rather than expecting movies to spoon-feed us everything. "The makers of Maaman wanted the film to mirror what we typically witness, and by the conclusion, you can see how the youngster is still disturbed by things. Perhaps that is how that family handles it; maybe they take their time and don't resolve it right away. Nothing ever changes overnight. The Maaman actor says that it is usually slow and understated.

Upon rejoining Mani Ratnam for Thug Life:

The performer will be reuniting with Mani Ratnam for Thug Life after finishing the duology Ponniyin Selvan. Aishwarya Lekshmi remembers receiving a call from Madras Talkies about the project while she was in Phuket. "I was like, 'sure,'" she said, "and I didn't even want to hear the story. I don't believe Mani sir would contact me, but I wouldn't care if he did. It's a minor part that I enjoy, and I'm paired with Ashok Selvan.

The performer then discusses how she feels at home at Madras Talkies and that the warmth makes her feel like the place is her haven. "We have a wonderful exchange of respect between us. Additionally, they respond to it with affection. If things aren't going well, I can be vulnerable with them and discuss my creative desires. For me, it hasn't been about money for a while, and ever since then, I've had the liberty to choose movies. I can, however, talk with the films about how to approach the situation when they don't come to me, and I receive the necessary assistance and direction from them. It's all safer for a female actor, and I think of it as my haven. Everything is on schedule, including your work and your finances. We occasionally overlook the love and respect that you receive in this industry. Everybody follows Mani sir's lead.

Aishwarya Lekshmi's love of Tourist Family

The Kaanekkaane performer managed to see the most recent Tamil film Tourist Family and complimented the family drama, even while she is filming a few projects. "I really enjoyed Tourist Family because it provided a solution to the conflict." I thought it was lovely when the son reminded his father to clean their own plates. Why can't we resolve conflicts gracefully and respectfully, instead of spreading the dirt? It's an ideal scenario, but I like the fact that a movie may give you that idealism," she adds as Aishwarya Lekshmi goes on to highlight a specific scene in which the entire family attempts to help their son forget a song that reminds him of his ex-girlfriend.

"I've been in similar situations where you link songs with people...I had the same experience when I recently went through a breakup, and I was unable to listen to Ayushmann Khurrana's song Mitti Di Khushboo. After that, all of my pals played it in the automobile, which made it unforgettable and allowed me to remember them.

‘I've been afraid for a long time about what to say and how the media will present it.’

As a public figure, though, Aishwarya Lekshmi has experienced her fair share of highs and lows. She remembers the first movie she ever made and how, since she had no prior experience in the industry, she had to learn how to deal with the media firsthand. "My first movie was with Nivin, and I knew nothing." He has also learned the hard way, and he would provide me guidance. Since then, I've been trying to learn. It's a process of experimentation. I've always been terrified of what to say and how the media will present it. Consequently, I was extremely diplomatic during my previous interviews. I wouldn't say anything that was my own. It was always refined and filtered. In the past, I spoke in that manner because I was terrified of the media. I then started to find my own interviews dull and noticed the level of scrutiny. There is a lot at stake, and I couldn't communicate myself. I later discovered that I wanted to express myself."

She discusses her journey, during which she felt secure in Maaman, where the crew showed her a great deal of affection and respect. The actress who played Captain also discusses how the media turned a minor mistake she made during two of the movie's dialogues at the Kerala press conference into a sensation. "We had a good laugh, but I didn't realize it would be an issue. As a result, individuals began to troll and despise me. Something that may not merit it elicits a powerful response. The media is constantly attempting to portray that you do not have the right to express yourself, even though I do not wish to be cautious. I don't anticipate that I will close as a result of such retaliation. I am happy in a certain manner. If I have caused someone pain, I am prepared to say sorry. However, at this moment, I feel that I am not harming anyone, and I would like to express myself in this manner.

At the end of the discussion, Aishwarya Lekshmi discusses how she balances playing intense characters, like those in Ammu and Nizhal Tharum Idham, with less demanding roles, such as those in Gatta Kusthi and Ponniyin Selvan. “I was shooting a lot of intense movies at one point in time; Ammu, Kumari, and Nizhal Tharum Idham. Even though my life was going really well, I realized that I had grown melancholy. I made a conscious effort to avoid strong personalities. I need to be a cheerful individual in order to make the best art as a matter of personal preference. I made the choice to portray joyful people.

She uses an example from her recent rewatch of the romantic musical La La Land, in which one can be relatable even without experiencing the height of emotion. "There are little things that are relatable. The emotions have to be genuine at all times, not just strong. I am incredibly grateful to have been able to make all of these films. As she discloses that she is now filming for two web series, one of which can be described as "interesting and life-like," Aishwarya Lekshmi ends by saying, "Sometimes you need to count your blessings."

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