No Filter: How serendipity helped Abhirami land a role in ‘Pink’ remake

Abhirami Venkatachalam, is an actress who was seen in NOTA and a few other films with small but meaty roles. Boy, does she perform well! After years of struggling, her appearance in Nerkonda Paarvai, the remake of Pink, seems to be Abhirami’s first full-length role of substance.

After the trailer released last weekend, Abhirami, who is in it for a teeny-tiny scene has already made such an impact that the film’s lead Thala Ajith’s fans have turned it into a viral meme. I managed to catch up with her a few days ago between rehearsals, which we now know was for her entry into the Bigg Boss house.

I have watched Abhi struggle and keep at the dream of being a successful actress. I wanted to know how she got the coveted role in Nerkonda Paarvai, which was sought after by many with industry connections. She tells me that she met Shreya, an assistant in the film, through one of her friends. A week after this serendipitous meeting, Shreya had called to ask Abhi if she was keen on auditioning for the film. Abhi says she was incredibly excited as it was for the remake of the critically acclaimed film, Pink, which revolves around three women trying to legally fight a molestation case. Abhi was later called for an audition by the film’s director, H Vinod. She recalls waiting for the audition, being aware of Vinod’s work but not of what he looked like. She recollects reading a newspaper during the wait time and not paying attention when Vinod walked in. After a Google search, she says she cringed a little at the potential faux pas. After the audition went well, Abhi says she had to take a few look tests. She finally got a call when she found out that she landed the role and that the shoot would begin in a few days.

“Vinod sir has given me a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m eternally grateful to him. While several starlets were considered for the role, he stood by me getting the role. In a recent interview, Vinod sir had mentioned about me looking like a Tanjore painting, I had to pinch myself to know that it was real. No matter where I go in my career, I will be there to work with Vinod sir if he wants me to, even if the role is a five-minute one. Producer Boney Kapoor sir is a father-like figure to me, and immensely thankful for his support,” she says.

Since the film is based on a very sensitive subject, the film’s crew had many emotionally moving moments on the set, shares Abhi. Even while filming stirring climax scenes, the crew apparently managed to snatch a few moments of fun to have positive energy around them. The film’s women cast, Abhi, Shraddha Srinath and Andrea Tariang, have become friends — like three musketeers on the sets.

Abhi has been shooting several television commercials of late, waiting for the next big opportunity. Destiny has now presented her with a reality television platform. A girl without any family backing in the industry has made it this far, purely based on sheer hard work and dealing with rejections.It is safe to say that this filmwill be a milestone in Abhi’scareer.