At just 13, Tamannaah Bhatia stepped into the world of cinema. By 15, her debut film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra (2005) had hit the screens. Now, as she celebrates two decades in the industry, the 35-year-old actor reflects on her journey, growth, and the wisdom she gained along the way.

“I was giving my Class 10 board exams when my first film released,” she recalls, adding, “I have a very Benjamin Button case — not in how I look, but from an emotional and mental POV. At that age, I thought I knew everything, like a mini dadi maa. Watching my old interviews now is quite funny!”

Tamannaah’s maturity helped her hold her own in an industry where she often worked with co-stars twice her age. “I always worked with people 20 years older than me, be it directors, actors, producers. It is not easy to take this field on and navigate it if you have zero backing or support,” she recalls. However, her biggest support system was her family. “My parents never treated me as a child,” she says.

Over the years, she has mastered the craft and built an enviable career. From the Baahubali films to her latest song Aaj Ki Raat in Stree 2 (2024), she has continued to evolve. But which project was the biggest turning point? “Baahubali was the beginning of me understanding my strengths. I’m a simple person, but being simple doesn’t make you ordinary. That’s become my life’s motto. I have always had high goals. Commercially I had been paired with all leading actors, and done female-led films, too. I wanted to push the envelope, and then OTT happened.”

On the personal front, Tamannaah has been making headlines for her rumoured breakup with actor Vijay Varma. However, she has yet to comment on the speculation.