When choosing projects, Radhika Madan has a simple rule — go by your instinct. That’s exactly what she did when she gave her nod to Kacchey Limbu, which dropped on Jio Cinema last month.

“[Before] saying yes to Kacchey Limbu, I heard all sorts of advice about the films that work today, and how young actors should position themselves. But I chose it because I knew in my gut that this is a film I should do. When a script like this comes, you have to remind yourself why you became an actor in the first place. It’s hard to take risks with such films, but I don’t want to win the race, I want to enjoy it,” she starts, evidently taken by the movie about sibling revelry. 

While Shubham Yogi’s directorial venture — which had its première at the Toronto International Film Festival last year — aligns with the actor’s vision, her decision to team up with Akshay Kumar for the Soorarai Pottru remake seems uncharacteristic of her. The 27-year age gap between the leads was widely discussed on social media, especially since Madan has established herself as someone who wouldn’t conform to the lure of doing a star project just to have a big-ticket movie to her name.

“I was in love with Soorarai Pottru [2020], and the character essayed by Aparna [Balamurali]. I didn’t even know who was co-starring with me. I got to know at the last moment who my co-star was. My instinct was right [about the film]. After we finished shooting the remake, [the original] won five National Awards. I made the right choice of finding the right movie, regardless of who I am acting with.”

While she has the Soorarai Pottru remake and Sanaa in the pipeline, we wonder about the sequel to Madan’s film Shiddat (2021). Rumours are rife that she has been replaced by Parineeti Chopra. Madan clams up about it, only stating, “I have no idea about it. The makers are the right people to answer this.”

Remaking a popular film can be a risky move. But a change in approach can make a recreation seem new, says Radhika Madan, who stars in the Soorarai Pottru remake opposite Akshay Kumar. Inspired by the life of Air Deccan founder G R Gopinath, the 2020 Tamil original starred Suriya and Aparna Balamurali. Madan says she has brought her own interpretation to the role in the Hindi adaptation helmed by Sudha Kongara.

“I didn’t think about the comparisons. I love the original. But my job is not to play the same character because people have already seen that. So, I have approached the character in a different way, and brought a new flavour so that they aren’t reminded of Aparna. When I went on the set, I almost forgot about the original film,” she states.

The actor’s job was made easier with the support of her director and co-actor. “Akshay sir didn’t make me feel that he is a megastar. He is so grounded. Everyone wants to work with Sudha ma’am. She is so honest in her work. Just by being in their company, I learnt so much.”

The past year has been hectic for Madan as she shot for six films. But it also brought a wealth of lessons. Filming with Tabu, Pooja Bhatt and Kumar for Kuttey, Sanaa and the Soorarai Pottru remake respectively has enriched her as an artiste, she says.

“They are above the rut and the chase. [I am] still finding my footing. [In contrast], they know who they are. So now, they work purely for their love of the art. The clarity that they have is what I would want in my life.”

Honouring the best of 2020’s cinematic excellence, the 68th National Film Awards were announced on Friday in the Capital. The report related to the awards was submitted to the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Anurag Thakur, and 10 jury members, headed by filmmaker Vipul Shah, took the final call.

Ajay Devgn and Suriya shared the Best Actor award. Devgn won it for the period drama Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and Suriya for Soorarai Pottru. His co-star in the movie, Aparna Balamurali, won the Best Actress award.

Devgn on receiving his third National Award said, “I’m elated to win the Best Actor Award along with Suriya. I thank everyone, most of all my creative team, the audience and my fans. I also express my gratitude to my parents and the Almighty for their blessings.”

Soorarai Pottru won the Best Feature Film, while Tanhaji... was declared the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Nachiket Barve and Mahesh Sherla won the Best Costume Designer award for the same movie.

Child actor Varun Buddhadev got a special jury mention for the Sanjay Dutt and Rajiv Kapoor-starrer Toolsidas Junior, which also won the Best Feature Film, Hindi. It was also Kapoor’s last film before he died in Feb 2021.

Lyricist Manoj Muntashir won the National Award for Best Lyrics for Saina. Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj bagged the award for Best Music Direction (non-feature films section) for 1232 Kms: Marenge Toh Wahin Jaakar. HTC

Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for I&B, told ANI, “I want to congratulate all the jury members and all those people whose work was reviewed and would like to congratulate the recipients. A word of appreciation for everyone who has done an outstanding job.”

Best Feature Film: Soorarai Pottru; Tamil

Best Actress: Aparna Balamurali (Soorarai Pottru)

Best Actor: Suriya (Soorarai Pottru) & Ajay Devgn (Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior; Hindi)

Best Lyrics: Manoj Muntashir (Saina; Hindi)

Best Costume Designer: Nachiket Barve & Mahesh Sherla (Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior)

Best Music Direction in Non-Feature Films: Vishal Bhardwaj (1232 Kms: Marenge Toh Wahin Jaakar; Hindi)