Keerthy Suresh opens up about trolls and picking women-centric roles

Keerthy Suresh is always been known for her cute-shy, girl-next-door roles. Till Mahanati, aka Nadigaiyar Thilagam, happened. Essaying the role of yesteryear actor Savitri, Keerthy secured immense recognition for her acting chops in this film and proved her on-screen mettle. Her life hasn’t been the same since. In an exclusive interview, Express chats with her about all things cinema, handling trolls and more.

Keerthy Suresh said It is very important, no matter how small the role of the female lead is. In many commercial films, the storyline might not necessarily even need a female lead. But, it’s very rare that a film without a heroine gets made. Sandakozhi 2 is a very good example of how a commercial heroine should be. It needed a nice character, similar to the one Meera Jasmine played in the first part of the same. And Linguswami, the director, is known to characterise his heroines differently.

However, not all commercial films are required to do this. Be it a meaty role or anything otherwise, being a part of a big project is vital as it can take you places. More than looking at how important my role is, the sense of working with known names and stars is gratifying. When that film breaks records, you will be a part of that film and that gives a sense of pride. If you get a good character, one with some space, it feels even better.

Keerthy Suresh added It is the story that is the backbone of a good film now. If a good script tends to be women-centric, it is great, but every film can’t be a Mahanati. Not all films can be that grand. And this was a biopic. I am yet to do a conventional women-centric film. People have started to accept such cinema in the South only in the recent past. It is very important to strike a balance between women-centric cinema and commercial cinema.

Keerthy Suresh talked about troll, said You can say I am the most trolled heroine (Smiles). When it started, I just looked at it as something people were doing for fun. I used to laugh at it myself. But when it became a sustained torrent, I realised that this is what they do. I started taking both — positives and negatives — out of it. It felt good to accept criticism, learn and also acknowledge my own growth. A few things, I can try and control, but I can’t change myself. This is what I am and this is how I will be. But due to these trolls, I realised where I was going wrong. Initially, I did ponder for a bit. But now, they don’t affect me. I just move on.