Few leading ladies have lasted ten years in the cine-field.Even if they have, they have had to give up their pedestals and resign themselves to character roles. Kollywood’s unwritten rule does not seem to apply to Sneha, however.

The Punnagai Ilavarasi, as she is known in these parts, has been around for more than a decade now and with more than 50 films in various south Indian languages to her name, she continues to remain one of the sought-after lead actresses.

Sneha has Bhavani IPS in which she plays a tough cop, lined up for release. The movie is inspired by yesteryear Vijayashanthi starrer Vyjayanthi IPS. A tough exercise regimen has caused her to slim down and the actress has risked her limbs shooting stunt sequences without body-doubles.

Says Sneha, ‘when director Kiccha approached me for the role of a cop, I wondered whether he was playing a prank. I did not have the confidence to go in for an extreme image makeover and I was also apprehensive if the audience would accept me.’

Sneha further adds, ‘I did not agree even after Kiccha made me do a photo shoot. Although I got convinced later, it still feels like an experimental film.’

Ironically the ‘Punnagai Ilavarasi’ hardly gets to smile in the film and she doesn’t have a pair either. The actress thanks cinematographer Bhoopathy for presenting her in an altogether new dimension.

Affirming that she has not used a body double even in the risky scenes, she says, ‘I trained under stunt master Dhalapathi Dinesh before getting into the performance.

 

I hurt myself in the process and also injured a few fighters who were part of my scenes,’ she reveals adding,’ everything, from my gait to my body language was taught to me by my director.’

Kiccha, on his part, heaps laurels on Sneha’s commitment to the role.‘All along she has been known for her girl-next-door roles. She took up Bhavani IPS as a challenge and the result will be for all to see.

‘She suffered several injuries during the shoot. But that motivated her to give off her best. The movie will be one more feather in her cap,’ he says.

Sneha is also crossing her fingers for Goa, which releases this week-end. ‘Goa is in complete contrast to the action packed Bhavani IPS. I play a trendy girl in Goa. Two extreme roles and I am excited to know how the audience will respond to them,’ she says.