Onam Special: Amala Paul is back home!

Amala Paul started her career in films doing a brief role in Lal Jose' Neelathamara. She switched her attention to Tamil and a few films later, Prabu Solomon's Mynaa happened. The rest, as they say, is history.

She soon became one of the most sought after heroines in south India. Though she was seen doing brief appearances in the Malayalam films Ithu Nammude Katha and Akashathinte Niram in between, Amala will have her first major Malayalam release, opposite Mohanlal, in director Joshiy's Run Baby Run.

As the film is slated to hit the theatres today, on Thiruvonam day, here is an interview with the sensational Amala Paul.

What attracted you to the film, Run Baby Run?

I wanted to be a journalist so the character of a TV news person in Run Baby Run was really interesting.

Also, it was great to work with such respected names as Joshiy and Mohanlal.

What is your character in the film like?

Renuka, my character in Run Baby Run, is the executive editor of a news channel. She is bold, outrageous and never scared of anything.

She is really aggressive and unique. She doesn't mind going for anything to come up with a story.

There are many aspects to this character that have not been presented in any films until now.

Have you been inspired by any real life person to model your character on?

Not really. If I am watching some of those real persons, I may end up imitating them. I didn't want to be influenced by such things.

I have a picture of the character in my mind and I am presenting it on screen. I am mixing it with my own body language.

You were earlier expected to play the female lead in Indian Rupee?

I liked the story but my dates clashed. So I couldn't be part of the project.

You were in a rather inconsequential role in the film Ithu Nammude Katha. What made you accept it?

Actually, I had done that film long back, even before Mynaa happened. But it got released only after Deiva Thirumagal.

Looking back, how important was Mynaa in your career?

Mynaa is the movie that brought out Amala Paul as an actor.

I am still called Mynaa when I go to many places and I love it.

The impact that film made was tremendous and it helped me grow as an actor. Mynaa was a wonderful experience.

How do you select your roles?

I always look forward to roles that excite me as an actor. Mynaa gave me the chance to display my acting credentials. I got several offers after that which were performance-oriented and challenging.

I hate being typecast and I don't want to do things that are boring for me because it would be boring for the viewers as well.

I want my films to make an impact. I want my character to be perfect.

I am hundred percent sincere and ready to do hard work to make my character look perfect on screen.

How do you feel being part of Malayalam films, after getting so much attention in other languages?

(Smiles) It's like coming back home. I love being here.