Karthi and Aditi Rao Hydari, like all Mani Ratnam lead pairs, look aesthetic on the screen. As 'Cheliyaa' ('Kaatru Veliyidai' in Tamil) hits the screens on April 7, IndiaGlitz had a chat with the on-screen couple.

Excerpts:

Karthi, what was your first reaction when you were told that Aditi is your co-star.

It was taking lot of time to cast a girl. Mani sir wanted someone who is outwardly soft, but strong inside. He met a lot of people. With Aditi, he had a full-day audition. We both did photo shoots also. He took the pictures to see how we look as a pair.

And he was convinced that she has that quality of being soft outside, but strong inside. Only that he was tensed a bit about how she would manage as she didn't know Tamil. We shot a mere 2-3 scenes a day to begin with. To her credit, Aditi learnt everything by heart. The best thing about her is that I have never seen her complain.

Aditi, you have earlier said that you never watched any of Karthi's movies. What was your first reaction when you were told that Karthi is your co-star?

Aditi: I feel lucky that I didn't watch any of his movies. I only knew him as a good actor and star. He is such a nice person that everybody loves him. When he walked in, I knew that this person is good; that he is a good human being is written all over his face. I instantly trusted him. And it was amazing working with him. I was quite amazed at his versatility.

He is calm and composed outside, but his mind is always racing. When he is not in front of the camera, his mind is always ticking. He is never ever satisfied. H constantly wants to keep improving. That's very inspiring. I appreciate somebody who is not arrogant.

Karthi: More than me, she was excited to work with Mani sir.

Karthi, is there anything that Mani Ratnam told you about Aditi which she is not aware of?

Mani sir never appreciates anybody. But about Aditi, he would tell me she is very good.

Karthi, you have earlier said that you were amazed to see Aditi pick up Tamil which she didn't know. Were you green with envy?

I have done it too with respect to Telugu. In 'Oopiri', I had more dialogues than did Nag sir. I would tell Vamsi (director) to give me the dialogues one week before. I would learn the lines like a school boy.

With Mani sir, it's even more difficult because he shoots every scene at a stretch like the way it happens in stage performances.

And what was Mani sir's approach like? Would he explain the scenes to both of you at once or separately?

Karthi: It depends. My character is little more complex and so, he would sit with me more.

Aditi, you use a particular fragrance for each role. What type of fragrance did you use for this role in 'Cheliyaa'?

I found a fragrance which I instinctively felt suits this character. For me, fragrance is a very important thing. A lot of people have a lot of memories associated with fragrances. For example, the fragrance of your mother's saree, the smell associated with your grand mom's house. I associated a particular fragrance to Leela's character as I felt she is soft, gentle and very nurturing. There is a floral fragrance that lingers and which you can't forget.

Did the fragrance have an impact on Karthi at any point of time?

Aditi: I don't think so. It's good that he didn't notice it. That's for me and my character.

Karthi: I never even noticed it. I am not someone who worries about smile. I am more interested in the person.

Can we expect sensual scenes from 'Cheliyaa'?

Karthi: You don't find such scenes in Mani sir's movies. He doesn't do that. This film is more about how, in spite of the differences, they find a balance.

Aditi: I think there is nothing more sensuous than two people's eyes. When you have amazing dialogue, situations, eyes, and when you have Mani sir directing them, there is nothing more sensuous.

'Cheliyaa' is admittedly not breezy, but an intense film. Is it not difficult to impress the audience with such a genre?

Karthi: The film has its lighter moments. It's not breezy in the sense that it's not a college romance or such things. There is more seriousness to it. The male lead is a fighter pilot whose life is a risk every day. That's why he lives for the moment. He enjoys everything and gives cent per cent to it. The love story of such a person can only be intense. That said, the film has its playful moments. It's not an urban, playful love story like 'OK Bangaram', though.

Mani sir's writing goes to the layers of the characters' thoughts. Only he can do that.

Aditi: Nature plays a huge role in the context in which they (the lead pair in 'Cheliyaa') are placed. Mani sir brings everything so seamlessly. You feel so different when you are standing in a desert, for example. It's for bringing such elements out that Mani sir a genius. That's why every actor and technician dies to work with him.

Karthi: All the cues are already written in the script. Half your performance is already taken care of by the direction he gives.

Aditi has said that she is sensitive to gossips. How do you react to them?

Karthi: It's only very rarely that gossips are created on me. And I don't take them seriously. It's only in the initial days of your career that it affects you. Later on, you get used to it.

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