Lending a voice to the voiceless

Actor Sruthi Hariharan thinks cinema is a canvas where she can paint a different picture each time. It is a space which offers her the freedom to be a different person each time, play around with emotions and above all, entertain people.

In her latest film ‘Urvi’, which is about how women rise to the occasion in an urban setting, Sruthi is essaying the character of Asha and has undergone  a transformation of sorts.

She has made every effort to live, breathe and get into the skin of the character in every way. ​In an interview with Nina C George, Sruthi talks about why she thinks the project is different.

What is ‘Urvi’ about?
“Urvi’ literally translates to ‘goddess of circumstance’. The movie traces the life of three women of different age groups, who face issues that are very specific to a city life. The women come from different backgrounds but are caught in a common situation and it is this situation that brings them together. Also, the director relates a woman goddess to Kali and Kali is the epitome of feminine power. If a woman is irked from within, nothing can stop her from waging a war.

Tell us about your character in the film.  
I go by the character of Asha in the movie. She is a very practical woman, who is studying to become a doctor. Somewhere, during the course of her journey, she meets two other women who confront the same problems that she does. Asha is the strongest of the three and it is up to her to fight the injustice being heaped on these women and declare a war of sorts, if necessary. Asha, in fact, defines and gives the word ‘revolt’ a definite meaning and direction.

How was your experience of working on the role?
It was extremely challenging because it is hard to relate to the feelings and emotions of somebody like Asha. There are certain emotions beyond imagination. I did my homework, trying to understand the person that Asha is and I researched on the character. The director has pegged some of these situations on real incidents.

Is it a woman-oriented film?
It’s not wrong to say that the movie showcases the power in every woman. Most films portray only the glamourous and beautiful side of a woman but this is different because it brings to fore the injustice meted out to women. There’s a goddess in every woman and the movie reiterates how that goddess comes alive and stands up against what’s unjust and fights back. It is indeed commendable that this film is written by a man, who has taken the trouble to understand and project the problems of women.  

Could we call it a thought-provoking film?
I think this film is sure to inspire a lot of women, facing some kind of abuse, to fight back. In a certain sense, this film lends a voice to the voiceless and yes, it is a thought-provoking film.