I am not anybody's fan - unless you're talking about Rajinikanth.
— Aishwarya Rajesh
In Chennai, we have the beach for entertainment, but in places like Trichy, Salem, and Coimbatore, movies are the only entertainment.
The best memories are the ones where I celebrated Deepavali as a kid.
I played a very small role in 'Attakathi.'
Irrespective of the language and industry, what I seek from a project is good story and role.
In 'Aarathu Sinam', I play a wife and mother. It's a very homely character, quite contrary to what I've done so far.
I always get told by women that they would love a daughter-in-law like me. That's big, because not too many people seem to want their son to marry an actress!
No matter how many movies I do, 'Kakka Muttai' will be one of my best movies.
It was cinematographer George C. Williams who first told me about 'Sakhavu.' He said that the script was good and asked me to listen to it. Later, Sidhartha Siva called me and narrated the script over the phone.
I take care of my body, do yoga and exercises.
The method in which 'Vadachennai' is narrated gives a feeling as if you are travelling with the characters to the different eras where the various situations happen.
I prefer doing strong roles irrespective of duration, and it is almost impossible for me to take up a role that has nothing much to contribute to the script.
If the script is boring when I read it, I am sure it would be boring onscreen, too.
I really like shooting in real locations.
I am somebody who is not too fond of fancy or commercial stuff, like dancing around trees. Even in the 20 films I have done in South, none had any of such stuff.
Any actor can be glamorous, but not everybody can be a performer. That's why I'm focusing more on the performance side. I feel that's what even people want from me.
I get along very well with people - that's both an advantage and a disadvantage.
I want to do glam roles, too. I don't want to restrict myself when it comes to doing good cinema.
Deepavali is my 'favouritest' festival. More than Pongal or New Year's, this is the time we all come together as family and celebrate.
It's an honour to play a woman cricketer on screen.
I'm playing my first urban character in 'Thirudan Police.' It's an important film because I'll be breaking the stereotype that I'm only fit for rural characters with this role.
I've always wanted to work in the Malayalam industry.
I usually don't choose any of my Tamil films depending on the heroes but give priority to the script.
I firmly believe the industry does not let down performers.
For me, Malayalam is a difficult language. It has got a lot of tongue-twisting words.
As much as I'm happy, I know it's not going to be easy in Bollywood.
I had to do a lot of preparation for 'Kaaka Muttai.' I had to literally spend every night and morning in the slums, observing the life of people there, and work on my diction.
Directors approach me for doing 'strong' women characters which, as an actor, increases a sense of responsibility to give my 100 per cent and even more for the faith they entrust on me.
I will never do something like an item number.
Initially, I didn't have much knowledge about cinema. But once I started doing good films, precisely after 'Kaaka Muttai,' people started respecting me as a performer.
I don't go by the screen time. Even if I have one or two scenes, it is essential that people remember me.
Anybody can do glamorous roles. With the latest technology, any girl can be shown beautifully on screen.
I feel there are a very few actresses who can perform really well. I want to be one among them.
I've always wanted to be a good dancer. It used to be my passion.
When I signed 'Kaaka Muttai,' a lot of directors told me that I shouldn't be doing the role of a mother so early in my career. But I went ahead, as I aspire to do challenging roles.
I come from a lower-middle-class family and used to stay in a housing board colony.
I love the body language of the women cricketers and the attitude with which they carry themselves.
I play the leading lady in Arjun Rampal's latest production, 'Daddy'. It's a very bold, performance-oriented role, and the team had originally cast someone else. However, when Arjun saw my performance in 'Kaaka Muttai,' he roped me in.
Instead of saying 'unique,' I will say 'Kattappava Kaanom' is a very special and lucky film for me because I got the chance to step into Hindi film industry when I was in the shoot of this movie.
I want to be a star; yes, that's everyone's dream.
I was not wary of playing a mother on screen but wasn't sure if I could do justice to it. Would I be able to showcase that kind of overpowering love without being a 'real' mother?
My mother tongue is Telugu. I was born and brought up in Tamil Nadu.
My aim is to do all genres, both entertainment and art.
'Kaaka Muttai' has gone places. It's a great feeling. There is respect from family and friends. The film has travelled to international festivals, and I was able to meet big directors.
I have always given priority to the gravity of the roles I do.
There is a fine line between being glamorous and vulgar. I am open to glam roles as long as they don't look vulgar on screen.
I am sure that I don't want to take up stupid roles. And by stupid, I refer to those which doesn't have any sense. A role should have some life in it, right?
I have never danced in any film of mine, barring some stage shows.
I always give weightage to performance more than the length of my character. That has always been my criteria for signing a film.
Social media and smart phones have become an inevitable part of our lives. We shouldn't be under their control, which is wrong. It is mere stupidity, and we must be aware of everything around us.
