Amitabh Bachchan, Akshara Hassan and Dhanush
Amitabh Bachchan, Akshara Hassan and Dhanush

Shamitabh released a couple of weeks ago and the pretty young woman, Akshara Haasan, has managed to surprise one and all with her confident act in this Gauri Shinde, Abhishek Bachchan and Sunil Lulla production. Also, director R. Balki (who has directed seasoned actresses like Tabu in Cheeni Kum and Vidya Balan in Paa) has managed to extract a notable performance from the newcomer.

Dhanush, Akshara Hassan, Amitabh Bachchan
Dhanush, Akshara Hassan, Amitabh Bachchan

With Amitabh Bachchan, Dhanush and you coming together, it has turned out to be a very unusual combination of actors in Shamitabh...

Three of us were striving to be the character that Balki wanted us to become. We were giving our 100%. Keeping me aside, when you see Dhanush and Mr. Bachchan, then they have such a large fan following, and still they want to prove themselves as an actor. If it wasn’t for Balki who created distinct characters for each one of us, Shamitabh wouldn’t have been what it is today. The film has been written so beautifully. Balki has been pushing me as an actor. He knows where I stand and understands my capabilities. He has been a Guru and a good friend. To find such a combination is so rare. That helped me ease.

Akshara Hassan
Akshara Hassan

Did your parents (Kamal Haasan and Saarika) help you ease as well?

(Smiles) At home my mom and dad are just my parents. We share our experiences at the end of the day. As a matter of fact, it was easier for me to be just be me on the sets. If I can create a name for myself basis how I perform as an actor, then I am sure that would add much more to making my family proud. I need to work hard. That’s the way I can take the legacy of my parents forward and make them proud.

Now that the film has released, how do you feel?

When I went on the sets, then metaphorically speaking I was an empty cup. What eventually went in could have been coke, water, chai or coffee. Today I feel the cup has been filled well.