Regina Cassandra interview | On working with Ajith Kumar in ‘Vidaamuyarchi’

You once said, “As an actor, I like to touch the entire spectrum of entertainment.” What did you mean, and how much have you covered?

I like to be versatile. I’ve been blessed with a face and physique that can fit into any role — South Indian, North Indian, urban, or rural. That’s half the battle won. I want to push boundaries, whether playing an antagonist, protagonist, or something in between. Over the past 20 years, I’ve done that, and I hope to keep exploring more.

How do you pick roles? What led you to Vidaamuyarchi?

I’ve always had the luxury of choosing what I want. I’ve never approached filmmakers for roles — I’m quite shy about that. My roles come to me because someone thought of me for them. For Vidaamuyarchi, Magizh Thirumeni initially narrated a different character to me. A week later, he called me back for another narration — this time for the role I play now. That shift in casting was unexpected but exciting. Moments like these reaffirm that I’m doing something right.

What general parameters do you consider when selecting a role?

Comfort. Not in the sense of ease, but in how a role makes me feel. As an actor, I need to be comfortable in my own skin to dive deep into a character. If I can’t do that, I won’t take on the role. If I’m playing a vulnerable character, I need to trust the team around me. I gauge this during narrations. I ask questions — not just about my character but about the director’s approach. If the director is open to discussion…  All these factors are important to me.

How was it working with Magizh Thirumeni?

Fantastic. He’s patient, understanding, and knows how to bring out the best in his actors. Even during dubbing, he sat with me, making sure I delivered my best without pressure.

What about working with Ajith? Any memorable off-screen interactions?

Every day was memorable. He is inclusive, aware, and understands the effect he has on people. Despite being a superstar, he doesn’t take things for granted. He has no entourage, no one fussing over him. That probably comes from his background as a rider — you have to do things yourself when you’re on the road. He carries that attitude onto the set..

What unique challenges and opportunities come with being part of star-centric films?

There’s so much love pouring in from the entire Tamil diaspora. It’s nice to see so much light being shed on this film because of Ajith Kumar, and we all get to bask in it. I’m hoping that the opportunities that come after this, in terms of work, are just as good. Honestly, I haven’t faced any challenges. The only thing was that I was the first person from the cast to do interviews for the film. That was a bit tough. But I went out there, spoke, and said what I had to say, and I haven’t received any backlash (laughs).

Can you tell us about your role in Vidaamuyarchi?

It’s a fascinating role with many layers. Once you watch the film, you’ll understand why I can’t say too much! I prepared a lot — writing notes, discussing with my director, and even sitting with a writer friend to analyse my character.

You have a background in psychology. Does that help you understand your characters?

I studied psychology because I was curious about behaviour. It helps me in real life and in acting. I often have conversations with psychology professionals to understand different personality types and topics such as sociopathy or psychopathy.

Can you give an example where psychology helped you with a role?

When I did Nenjam Marappathillai, I was personally going through symptoms of depression. Understanding this helped me work on myself and my character Mariam. I also had to build a relationship with the child actor in the film. I had to make the child comfortable with me so it would translate on screen. By the end of the shoot, we were so close that we would eat from the same plate. Understanding the child’s psychology was important.

You’ve taken on unconventional roles — playing a lesbian in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga and a drug-addicted waitress in Awe. What draws you to such roles?

I love that filmmakers see me as someone who can do different things. Some of them are relatable characters, others aren’t. When I played Meera in Awe, I had cornrows, a septum piercing, tattoos, and an undercut. I even shaved part of my head. It wasn’t just exciting; it was exhilarating!

You’ve also made a mark in web series like Rocket Boys and Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke. How does acting in a web series differ from films?

The biggest difference is time; shows take much longer to shoot. Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke took three months across multiple locations. That’s a bigger time commitment than a film. Shows tend to reach more people compared to films. But in terms of process, there’s not much difference.

You’ve been an actor for 20 years. What kind of roles excite you now?

Anything that challenges me. I don’t want to fit into a mould. The more demanding the role, the more thrilling it is. But I also need a supportive team because a challenging role is never the problem — it’s when everything around it becomes difficult that it gets tough.