Stap IN THE ASCENDANT Aparna Balamurali!

APARNA HAS A POWERFUL ROLE IN GANGSTER DRAMA RAAYAN AND GIVES US A SNEAK PEEK INTO THE ROLLERCOASTER WORLD OF THRILLS THIS PROMISES TO BE.

- DAYA KINGSTON

When you think of Aparna Balamurali, some of her strong roles pop into your mind. Her character as the vivacious Jimsy in the Malayalam film Maheshinte Prathikaram is endearing. This comedy drama where she starred opposite Fahadh Faasil went on to bag many awards. Another big milestone in her career was playing the role of Bommi in Soorarai Pottru, the wife who supports her husband’s seemingly impossible dream of starting a budget airline while becoming an entrepreneur herself. Directed by Sudha Kongara and starring Suriya in the lead, it won her a National Award. She describes this as a ‘life-changing journey’. And now it’s her role in Dhanush’s Raayan that’s being talked about.

Besides being an accomplished actress, Aparna is also a playback singer. Singing runs in her genes, her father KP Balamurali is a music director and mother Shobha Balamurali, a playback singer. She says, “My parents have definitely helped me select a career I wanted. Both my parents were particular that I did not lose art because of academics. They both pushed me to do the best in what I liked, they have never been a barrier and always supported me. I am a trained singer. Now, I am training under Karthika Vaidyanathan. She’s the one who sang Kangal Edho. Music is something I love, it’s always been in my family.”

Her latest film Raayan is Dhanush’s 50th film and his second directorial venture, a gangster drama that features an ensemble cast comprising S.J. Suryah, Prakash Raj, Selvaraghavan, Sundeep Kishan, Kalidas Jayaram, Dushara Vijayan, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Aranthangi Nisha.