‘I haven’t been training Tulasi’... says actress Karthika, whose younger sister debuts in Mani Ratnam’s Kadal

Karthika Nair is nervous, not because of any of her films, but due to the fact that her younger sister, Tulasi, is making her tinseltown debut through director Mani Ratnam’s Kadal. “Tulasi is in Class X. But for a Mani Ratnam film, she would have given filmdom a miss this year, especially since she has to give her best at the board exams,” says Karthika, adding, “But who doesn’t want to be part of such a dream debut, with one of the best directors of all time helming the project, and music maestro A R Rahman setting its tunes? Right now, Tulasi is in Chennai, attending the workshop for the film’s actors.”

So what’s the workshop all about? “Tulasi is being trained in dance, theatre, and of course, acting, besides dialogue delivery. With Mani uncle and Suhasini aunty taking care of her like their own child, there’s no need to worry if she’ll get her moves right or not,” says Karthika, “Honestly, I haven’t been training Tulasi before she takes her first step in filmdom. My mom (actress Radha) didn’t spoon feed me before I made my debut either! She wanted me to be at my natural best; I want the same to happen for Tulasi.”