Was easy to act with Tovino: Ahaana

It’s been five years since Ahaana Krishna made a stunning debut through the critically acclaimed movie Njan Steve Lopez. On the fifth anniversary, the young starlet is awaiting the back to back releases of her three movies – Luca in which she plays the female lead opposite Tovino, Pathinettam Padi directed by Sankar Ramakrishnan and Pidikittapully with Sunny Wayne. Ahaana who believes in destiny attributes the credit for this ‘triple treat’ to nothing but fate. In a candid chat, Ahaana opens up about her upcoming movies and her interesting journey in the film industry.

Luca’s Niharika

Ahaana essays the character called Niharika opposite youth sensation Tovino in the upcoming movie Luca. “It was amazingly easy to act alongside Tovino. It didn’t seem like I was talking to a big star but to a friend. He suggested practicing our dialogues a day prior to the shooting. So, we used to practice our dialogues a few times before canning the shots. Both of us had clear ideas about our characters. The director too gave us freedom. A song has already become a hit. I would be thrilled if the audience loves our chemistry in the movie. I said ‘yes’ to Luca in 2017. But Tovino was busy with a few previous commitments. Besides, we didn’t have a producer then. That is why the film got a bit delayed,” explains Ahaana.

From Steve Lopez to Luca

The diva says she was extremely shy and nervous while acting in her debut movie. However, Ahaana has now evolved into a confident young actress. “I am not saying I have become a great actress. I am still learning. However, my confidence has definitely grown. It is up to the audience to say the rest,” Ahaana says. The actress says that her family encourages her a lot and makes constructive criticisms as well. Ahaana is sure that her family doesn’t think she would put on an air if they appreciate or encourage her work. “My family was so impressed by my performance in the movie Njandukalude Naatil Oridavela that they said it didn’t seem like I was acting. I thought it was a good thing to say,” admits Ahaana.

Beloved Annie

It was at a wedding function that Ahaana met director Sankar Ramakrishnan who invited her to a preparatory camp for Pathinettam Padi. She admits she was initially skeptical to attend the camp as she was just a movie-and-a-half old. She didn’t feel any different from the other new comers who had signed up for the camp. However, she decided to attend it as the director had specially invited her. Besides, most of the crew members were known to her personally. Ahaana confesses she had no idea that she would be selected, even while participating in the camp.

A few days after the shooting began Sankar ringed Ahaana up and told her about the character called Annie. He also added that it was a cameo role. Ahaana was worried whether the audience would accept her, a relatively new comer in the industry, play a cameo role as such roles are often done by seasoned artists. She even opened up about it to the director. However, the actress didn’t feel like saying ‘no’ after Sankar had explained more about the character. “The character called Annie that I have played in this movie is amazing. Besides, it has a great team of crew members too. I had no idea that Mammootty sir was acting in it, when I said okay to this movie. It was only after the filming began that I came to know that he too was doing a cameo appearance in it. We didn’t have any combination scenes. But I saw him in his superb getup on the sets and had even talked to him. Pathinettam Padi is a movie which intensified my belief in fate. Annie is the most special among the characters that I have done so far,” noted Ahaana.

Filmy family and career

Ahaana says that her filmy background isn’t a factor at all when it comes to landing opportunities in the movies. She reasons that had it been a factor, she wouldn’t be doing only her third film, around five years after she had made her debut. However, Ahaana has no doubts when she says that she receives lots of love as actor Krishnakumar’s daughter. “People have a special fondness for those who act in the mini screen. They have that special love for my father and me as well. I get recognized mostly by aged people. My father has experienced many ups and downs in his career. I have been seeing such things from childhood itself. So, I clearly know the joys, stress and crises that cinema gives. I realize that cinema isn’t my life, but just a part of my life,” says Ahaana with conviction.

Debut role

Director Rajeev Ravi had offered Ahaana the role in Njan Steve Lopez after seeing her picture in a magazine. She believes it was destiny which brought her that role. Ahaana says she never did anything related to cinema before acting in Njan Steve Lopez. However, the youngster began loving acting after that. She then, like any movie aspirant, began giving auditions and look for opportunities.

The Fahadh Faasil movie

The director had initially approached Ahaana to play the female lead in the movie Annayum Resoolum opposite Fahadh Faasil. She was just a class eight student then. The movie got released when she was in Plus Two. Ahaana, however, says she doesn’t regret not doing that movie. “I felt happy that I was offered a role in a Fahadh Faasil movie. Beyond that, I didn’t really think anything about it. Later, I imagined how amazing it would be if I had got that role now. But I am not depressed about it,” notes the actress.

Dreamy eyes

The petite actress is often lauded for her stunning looks and dreamy eyes. “When people said that my eyes are really beautiful, I just thanked them, as I didn’t know how I could use it in acting or photo shoots. It was only later that I realized that I have such big and round eyes. I am learning how to use that feature to my advantage. I hope I could learn that when I am a few more films old. I believe good directors and actors could help me with that. I had the habit of constantly blinking my eyes. It was Sankar sir who told me not to do that, as constantly blinking my big eyes would look weird on the big screen,” reveals Ahaana.

Dream role

“I dream doing roles which are not related to me in any way or which I think would be impossible for me to do. To be specific, my current wish is to do the role of a sports person. I hope to continue in the movies and wish that many amazing characters come my way,” Ahaana signs off.