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portray such a strong lady.
Her personality was very
different from anything I have
portrayed earlier. It’s very
gratifying to play someone
who was so determined,
persevered but had a silent
strength which distinguished
her from everyone else.”
AL Vijay, who helmed the
multi-lingual (Hindi, Tamil
& Telugu) says, “The film
depicts the early years
and struggles she faced
both as an actor and as a
politician.” The film will be
an unvarnished depiction of
Late Jayalalitha’s life.
that we could shoot Jayalalitha’s younger He adds,” Her life was a mix of glamour,
portions, and that’s when I noticed that I had love, heartbreak, struggle, and success. Our
gained 20 kilos. I wondered if I had gone too focus is to make it as real as possible, without
far, and questioned if the decision to take the trying to glorify her, but show the human side
hormone injections was appropriate.”
of the person she was.”
It was towards the close of 2019 that The film marks Kangana’s return to Tamil
Kangana had first admitted on taking cinema after a gap of 12 years since Dhaam
hormone supplements to add bulk to her hips Dhoom (2008) with Jayam Ravi, also stars
and thighs, to emulate her muse. Unlike the Arvind Swami as MGR, Madhubala as
misshapen built acquired by Bollywood’s top Janaki, Samuthirakani as RM Veerappan,
brass of actors gaining weight for cinema, and Poorna as Sasikala.
Ranaut’s avatar, though voluptuous, had Produced by Vibri Media, Thalaivi will be
to resemble the shapely and nimble-footed simultaneously released in Tamil, Telugu, and
Bharatanatyam dancer that Jayalalitha was. Hindi. With this biopic, actor Arvind Swami
She said, “I had to do Bharatnatyam for two is all set to make his comeback in Bollywood
hours, yoga for one, and still desirably gain after his remarkable performances in Roja
weight. The mild hormone dosage helped and Bombay. Thalaivi is written by Baahubali
gain weight around the hips. Bharatnatyam and Manikarnika writer KV Vijayendra Prasad
involves a lot of leg work, so the dancers tend and The Dirty Picture and Once Upon a Time
to gain weight in this region. Also, I needed to in Mumbai writer Rajat Arora.
put on so much weight because I am tall. At
5’8, I had to ensure that the bulk was visible
on my frame.”
Speaking on playing an icon like Jayalalithaa,
Kangana said, “After Manikarnika, this is
my second biopic, and I am honored to
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