Thinkal Menon (BOMBAY TIMES; March 7, 2021)

Amyra Dastur, who was busy with her Hindi and Telugu projects for some time, is looking forward to her Tamil release, the psychological thriller Bagheera. This is her first Tamil film after six years, and the actress admits she was thrilled when she learnt that actor-choreographer-filmmaker Prabhudheva is the lead in it. In a chat, Amyra, who was seen in the Sanjay Dutt-starrer Prassthanam (2019), talks about her experience of working in the film, takeaways from the Coronavirus lockdown, being vocal about social causes and more. Excerpts:

How was it to work with Prabhudheva?
In Bollywood, he is looked upon as a director and choreographer. It was great to act along with him; his tips on performing based on different camera angles and other technicalities were helpful. There’s a fantasy sequence in the film which has a small dance bit as well. I was actually scared to dance with him. The incredible dancer that he is, I think he’ll make any dancer look bad on screen.

What are your takeaways from the lockdown?
I shifted to my parents’ house during the lockdown. I loved helping my dad, who is a doctor. Like many others, the experience changed me as well. It has made me a simpler person. It has helped me to take life as it comes without any expectations.

Be it the farmers’ protests or attacks on women, you are vocal about political and social issues. At a time when actors are trolled brutally on social media, aren’t you concerned about the consequences?
There are people who don’t want to react to unjust things that are happening around us and that’s their personal stand. I react whenever I feel something isn’t right, and to react, a person should be knowledgeable about social and political happenings. I’m careful about what I post. Everyone has the right to express their opinion and I’m happy to do it cautiously.

The restrictions on OTT platforms have created quite a stir. A series which you were part of, too, came under the scanner. What do you think of the new regulations?
I think the restrictions might create problems in getting more people to make content in India. Cinema is an art and when you start imposing restrictions, we won’t be able to showcase many things to the global audience.