I love being part of the movie-making process. There is magic. There is an element of mystery and unpredictability.
— Tamannaah
Criticism is important for an actress, and it depends on how you take it. I take it positively and try to learn from it.
Completing your performance with your own voice is so important. It's not only my face and expressions... the voice added to it always feels good.
No matter what kind of film one makes, it boils down to whether it's good or not.
Over the years, I have realised that it takes a great team for a film to succeed.
There are ups and down in one's career.
I owe all the name and fame I have earned to regional cinema.
After a series of failures, to be part of a project like 'Baahubali: The Beginning' is dream-like, and it's easily the most unexpected thing of my career.
As an actor, I do not come with preconceived notions. I am like clay that can be moulded or like a sponge that can absorb things. I do what the director wants me to do.
My confidence is my strength.
I'm a fan of commercial films.
I completely follow my gut and do what I like doing. I have become impulsive in a good way. I am taking creative risks as an actor.
I was offered my first film right after my 10th board exams. Back then, I didn't even know they made films in the South. Films, I thought, were either in Hindi or English.
I have always been inspired by Hrithik, and he's the very reason I got into the entertainment industry. I am an avid dancer, and Hrithik is a demigod when it comes to dance.
It's nice to be part of a film that will be watched by a large audience.
It's a constant quest to push the bar and work in films that allow me to prove what I can do as an artist.
Out of sheer respect for the people I look up to in the industry, I do say 'yes' to projects at times. It helps me learn a lot. Also, if I am playing a small role in a good, content-driven film, I say yes to it. But there have been times when I said 'no' to films because I was not convinced with the content.
I would love to do realistic films that are entertaining.
When I started doing Hindi films, I did not know much about fashion. I got to know about it when people criticised my fashion sense.
Pay disparity is not just in our country but elsewhere in the world, too. However, I do believe that there will come a time when it will change.
I'm fortunate enough to pull off glamorous as well as strong, character-driven roles.
To become a better actor, one needs to look inwards and understand oneself better. Then, you can create magic on screen.
'Queen' is an interesting film, and I have always been motivated by roles that help alleviate women empowerment in some form.
Even when I had three Hindi films happening at the same time, Tamil and Telugu will always be an important industry considering I started my career there.
I can memorise Tamil lines fast. I feel at home speaking the language.
Being appreciated for playing a female warrior seems too good to be true. I enjoy playing such empowered roles, and on a related note, that's why I agreed to become the brand ambassador for the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.
I had a lot of fear of height, but 'Baahubali' has helped me overcome it.
I don't wear clothes that I am not comfortable with - clothes will not get you popularity.
As far as the industries go, in the North, they think I'm a South Indian actress; down South, I've always been thought of as a Bombay girl. I guess it's sort of an identity crisis, even though I'd like to belong to all the industries.
Acting began as a casual thing, but along the way, I did films like 'Happy Days,' '100% Love,' and 'Baahubali' that made me fall in love with cinema. I can't imagine being in any other profession.
I am getting better offers since directors feel that I am versatile and can be more than just a girl next door. I am also seriously trying not to be repetitive.
I always wanted to be an actor, and I wanted to be a part of good movies. Wherever I get to do these two things, it's enough for me.
Film is not just about the art form but also how it fares at the box office.
People think actresses have fame and money, but they are not aware of the difficulties we undergo. People should understand that we are sacrificing so much for our survival.
In commercial cinema, roles for heroines are limited to being simple or glamorous. I don't want to fall into an image trap.
I have enough experience, and I can do my Telugu dubbing perfectly without any help.
The world is small, and the film industry is even smaller. So, if someone does something wrong, you really can't hide it, and if it's good work, it also can't remain hidden.
I've been part of the biggest hits and flops.
My team or I didn't enjoy any administrative authority in the creative role play for the Telugu version of 'Queen.'
Acting in an epic and a non-fictional film is a big challenge for actors, as they need to research extensively about the characters they are playing before stepping into their shoes.
Thanks to a film like 'Baahubali' in my career, directors have the faith in me that I can play all kinds of characters, and I also have faith in me now that I can also do all kinds of roles, and I am doing that.
I feel more at home in Chennai and Hyderabad than in Mumbai since I spend so much time in these two cities.
I choose my films in a way that helps me do justice to all of them. Also, I like doing time-consuming films like 'Baahubali'; it's sometimes more rewarding than doing lots of small films.
We have always looked upon Hollywood superheroes like Super-Man and Spider-man, but Baahubali is our own Indian superhero, and the connection people have made with this franchise is unprecedented.
I don't think I need to wear a bikini to attract the audience. I will not do that.
I did feel bad when 'Himmatwala' and 'Humshakals' didn't work, but I have moved on.
If there is one favourite actor, then it is Hrithik for me. If an opportunity arises, I'd love to work opposite him.
What's very important for me is that I want family audiences - all kinds of audiences - to watch my films, and the more people who watch the movies, the better. So I want to be part of popular cinema.
It doesn't matter about the length of the role. I don't do films for the number of scenes. I go for the quality of my character in the film and the impact that I will have.
When it comes to a character, I make sure that it adds to the plot.
