After years of being associated with emotionally rich, character-driven roles, Abhirami surprised audiences with her action-packed turn in Blast. From performing intense stunt sequences to reuniting with Arjun after more than two decades, the actress speaks about stepping outside her comfort zone, embracing variety and why she doesn't mind playing characters older than her age.
'Blast was unlike anything I've done before'
For Abhirami, Blast marked a dramatic departure from the kind of roles she is usually offered. “Blast was nothing like what I've done before. At most, I may have slapped someone in a film. But this was full-blown action,” she says. What drew her to the role was the fact that the women in the story are anything but helpless. “In most films, the woman is a damsel in distress. Here, my family and I save ourselves. Whoever comes in our way, somebody better save them. It was definitely a unique role. Initially, I wasn't sure if I could pull it off, but after the training, I became genuinely excited,” she says.
'With action, you're pushing your body in ways you never have'
The physical demands of the role were a far cry from the emotionally intense performances she is known for. “I probably had about 20 pages of dialogue and nearly 60 pages of action. When I first read the script, my immediate reaction was, 'Where are the dialogues?'” she laughs. “You get hit, you fall, you pick up bruises. You're pushing your body in ways you never have before. My daughter visited the set a few times and watched me take on men twice my size. Now, she genuinely believes her mamma is a superhero.” She also credits her long association with yoga for helping her through the demanding shoot.
'I'd like to keep this momentum going'
In recent years, Abhirami has steadily increased her screen presence, which she partly attributes to timing. “We moved back to India during the pandemic, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time,” she says. She also believes the industry is now offering more substantial roles for women of her age and calibre. “I'm grateful for that and would like to keep this momentum going for as long as I can.”
'I alone cannot change the industry'
Abhirami has often faced comments about playing characters older than her real age, but she takes a pragmatic view. “I can either complain about it and stay home, or accept the roles that come my way and make the most of them,” she says. She adds that the character she plays in Blast is only a few years older than she is and one she can relate to as a mother. “The industry is changing, albeit slowly, and I'm happy to be part of that change,” she says.
On working with Arjun...
Blast also reunited her with Arjun more than 25 years after Vaanavil, her debut Tamil film. “When I first worked with Arjun sir, I was barely 16 or 17 and didn't even speak Tamil fluently,” she recalls. “Today, I know myself much better as an actor, and there's a lot more give and take. He's very open to collaboration.” Given his expertise in action cinema, the actress adds that Arjun also guided her through the martial arts-heavy film, often offering pointers and ensuring she stayed safe during the action sequences.
