Chaitanya Prasad: You’ve acted in so many languages. What is your mother tongue? Where are you from?
Archana: I’ve acted in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, English, and Oriya films. Many people are unsure of which language I belong to. My mother is Telugu, but we moved to Chennai when I was very young. So I adapted to Tamil culture. But thanks to my mother, I speak Telugu fluently.
Chaitanya Prasad: You entered films at a young age. What was your childhood like?
Archana: I initially wanted to be a good dancer, not an actress. I trained in classical dance—Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi. Dance was my life from a young age. People said, “This girl has expressive eyes and a nice smile, she should act,” and pushed me into this field. Nassar and I were classmates at the William Grace Film Institute. He took both of us to Balu Mahendra. In Telugu, Dasari Narayana Rao gave me my first break with a small role. Nireekshana was my debut as a heroine in Telugu.
Chaitanya Prasad: I can’t even count how many times I’ve watched Nireekshana.
Archana: Nireekshana is very special to me. Balu Mahendra first made it in Malayalam with Mammootty and Shobana. For the Telugu version, he wanted a dusky girl who looked tribal. Acting without a blouse back then was not an ordinary decision. But it was portrayed with such sanctity, not a trace of vulgarity. That’s what I loved about the film. I never hesitated to play that role because I only saw the purity in it.
Chaitanya Prasad: You mostly acted in performance-oriented, award-winning films, right?
Archana: In my career, I must have done at most around 30 films. Still, audiences remember me. I always chose roles that were natural and meaningful. I never wanted to look like a star—I preferred to appear like the girl next door. That’s why I got those kinds of roles. I won National Awards for Veedu in Tamil and Daasi in Telugu. I became like a family member in many homes—not because of glamour, but through my looks and acting.
Chaitanya Prasad: Do you use a lot of makeup?
Archana: In Nireekshana, I didn’t wear any makeup. As a tribal girl, I had to look even duskier. In Shashtipoorthi, I used makeup because the hero looked glamorous, so the mother had to match a bit. But generally, I don’t use much makeup unless it’s required for the role, and even then, I keep it minimal.
Chaitanya Prasad: Why didn’t you act much in commercial format films?
Archana: I’ve always preferred art films over commercial ones. That said, Nireekshana isn’t an art film either—it’s not a full commercial film, but somewhere in between. Since childhood, I picked my own stories and roles. I only did what I liked. Even when I felt troubled in between, I would still finish the films I started.
Chaitanya Prasad: Did you face any challenges during your acting career?
Archana: I never faced serious issues. Even if something felt off for a couple of days, people would come around by the third day once they got to know me. I never had to face uncomfortable situations. On the first day of Shashtipoorthi, I felt like an actor, but from the next day, I truly became Rupesh and Akanksha’s mother. They respected me as such.
Chaitanya Prasad: How did it feel to act again with the Ladies Tailor combination after all these years?
Archana: It came together because of director Pawan and producer Rupesh. It’s rare to find such taste and commitment in filmmakers today. I was happy when they approached me. This isn’t a small-budget film. Rupesh worked extremely hard and didn’t compromise anywhere. He provided everything the team needed. It wasn’t like we just came, acted, and left. His love and passion for cinema are clearly evident.
Chaitanya Prasad: You’ve had a long-standing connection with Ilaiyaraaja, haven’t you?
Archana: Ilaiyaraaja composed for my very first film. He gave amazing music for Shashtipoorthi too. The songs and score feel so pleasant. The lyrics you wrote are nice, and Keeravani’s song also turned out beautifully.
Chaitanya Prasad: Rupesh became like your own son during this journey. How was your experience working with him?
Archana: Yes, Rupesh has become like a son to me. That’s just how he is. He worked extremely hard for this film. His role had many dimensions. As an artist, I know how difficult it is to portray such variations. I’ve seen him both on and off screen—that’s why I can confidently say Rupesh is a great actor.
Chaitanya Prasad: Director Pawan used his mother’s name “Prabha” in the credits. Doesn’t that show his character?
Archana: Pawan once told me something very touching. He said, “If a woman plays the role of a mother, she should look like a mother when she’s next to her son, and like a lover when she’s beside her husband.” He spoke with such depth about aesthetics. That’s such a valuable thought. He showed a mother truly as a mother. I felt very fulfilled by his words.
Chaitanya Prasad: What place does Piravi hold in your career?
Archana: Shaji N. Karun had worked as a cinematographer for many before. I played a role in that film. Piravi won three National Awards. The same year, Daasi, which I acted in, won five National Awards. I proudly say that Piravi was the first Indian film to go to the Cannes Film Festival. It even received the Charlie Chaplin Award.
Chaitanya Prasad: Can you share your experience with Daasi?
Archana: Daasi itself was an experience. A bold film with a bold character. In olden days, women called Daasis were brought in as maids by daughter-in-laws. All the men in the household would abuse them. The life of a Daasi was terrifying. I had to portray that role very boldly. Director B. Narsing Rao made the film brilliantly. In those days, we followed whatever the director said without question.
Chaitanya Prasad: You’re a National Award-winning, top heroine. How were you on sets?
Archana: Before being a heroine, I was an ordinary person. I came from a middle-class family. I had to change two buses to reach the film institute. Even after becoming a heroine, I maintained the same lifestyle. Awards come and go. Success comes and goes. But I never lost my identity. I don’t consider myself a big deal in this world.
Chaitanya Prasad: What are your hobbies?
Archana: I love music. Lately, I’ve been refocusing on acting. I don’t consider this a re-entry. I’m only taking up roles that I like. Right now, I’m doing four to five projects in Tamil.
Chaitanya Prasad: What is your real name?
Archana: My real name is Sudha. But when I entered the industry, Jayasudha was already a very popular heroine in Telugu. Everyone used to call her Sudha. I didn’t want to come into the industry with the same name and ride on her fame. I wanted my own identity. I told Balu Mahendra about it. He was touched by my respect for my senior and named me “Archana.” If Jayasudha garu hasn’t received a National Award yet, it’s only because she deserves 30 or 40 of them. She is a natural actress and will always remain in our hearts.
Chaitanya Prasad: What was Balu Mahendra’s working style like?
Archana: One day on set, there was no light. Naturally, he moved the shoot to wherever the light was available. In Veedu, during a house-building scene, the sun came out strong at 6 AM, but by 7:30, clouds came, and it got dark like 6 PM. It rained. I innocently commented that shooting would stop. That was his first film. But he still filmed the scene in that rain, naturally. He was one with nature while making films.
Chaitanya Prasad: How did it feel when you received the National Award?
Archana: I received the National Award when Shyam Benegal was jury chair. It was the first time since the inception of the awards that both Veedu (Best Actress) and Nayakan (Best Actor – Kamal Haasan) won in the same year. That was a record. Kamal had done hundreds of films already, while I had only done five or six. Despite the presence of such great artists, I was honored with the award.
Chaitanya Prasad: It’s an honor for me to work with someone like you. Rupesh has made a wonderful film. Please bless him with success.
Archana: Rupesh is incredibly passionate about cinema. He has become like a son to me. A person like him deserves great success. This film should bring him profits and recognition.
Producer, hero Rupesh: With Shashtipoorthi, our Amma Archana garu will receive her third National Award.
