Dushara Vijayan: ‘I Don’t Want to be Objectified in Any Film’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Dushara Vijayan made an impactful debut with her Tamil film “Bodhai Yeri Budhi Maari” in 2017.  Her performance as Mariyamma in “Sarpatta Parambarai” in 2021 was memorable. Since then, Dushara has experimented with her roles, choosing varied genres.  The actor made her OTT debut with the Tamil crime drama series, “Exam.” In an exclusive interview with Variety India, the actress talks about why mainstream roles elude her and why she is unafraid to speak her mind. 

You play a deglamorized role in the crime series “Exam.” Why this unconventional role for your OTT debut? 

I want my character to connect with the audience. How much screen time I get does not matter; the character does. So, when the director A Sarkunam narrated the character of Jhansi to me, I knew I had to do it. I could relate to the series' theme of transactional merit.  I have a relative who has been appearing for a competitive exam for the last 10 years. He does not plan to get married till he clears it.  It is a real issue, and it's good for me to headline this series.  

You and Aditi Balan are fighting for power in “Exam.” Did you enjoy the action sequences? 

Stunts excite me. Action director Dinesh Subbaryan trained us for this shoot. The stunts inside the car, where we both fought, were challenging. I learned many techniques while rehearsing for the fights. Aditi was doing stunts for the first time, but I had already performed them in my film “Raayan.”   

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You are vocal about issues you feel strongly about...

My upbringing is responsible for my outspokenness. I have seen my dad manage political situations. I am very clear about what is right or wrong. When we express our thoughts, some people will criticize us, no matter what we say. I want to do what is right by me. I should not fear trolls. There are also enough people who appreciate and value what you say. 

Do you think talent alone is enough to make it in this industry? 

I started my career as a model. In modeling, you have to look glamorous, and you do get objectified. In cinema, talent takes the front seat. Some heroes only want to work with glamorous actresses who have a pan-India presence and who look a certain way. But people approach me because of my talent. So, in my case, it has worked out.  

Are women objectified in South Indian cinema? 

I was supposed to perform a special song in a film, but then I heard that the hero was not in favor of me. I was told that they were signing a well-known actress. I am not sure if they were looking for a certain look, as I am known as a serious performer. I can do glam, but I can’t be vulgar. There is a huge difference between the two. I want to get into the minds of producers and directors and crack the code. The producer will look at it from a commercial perspective. I'm trying to understand the director’s mindset. 

You are praised by critics, but aren’t always discussed in the same breath as mainstream commercial heroines. Does that bother you? 

I genuinely don't feel bad about it. The critical appreciation matters more to me. This is where my forte lies. I don’t want to be used as a tool in any film and be objectified. When I stepped into the cinema, I was clear about the kind of films I wanted to be part of and how the audience should see me. Even now, my character Mariyamma in “Sarpatta Parambarai” continues to be talked about.  

Any roadblocks? 

Let me give you an example. A debutant director approached me to play a visually challenged character in his woman-centric film. I had discussed this with a producer friend. But when I shared the script with him, he wondered aloud as to who would come to watch me play such a role in a movie. That remark made one-and-a-half years back has remained etched in my memory. The producer didn’t intend it as a slight, he was speaking from a commercial perspective. That day, I decided I would have to achieve a stature in my career where not only would people be comfortable watching me play a visually challenged character, but also no one would ask me a question like this again. 

Does South cinema have a light-skin fixation when it comes to actresses? 

Recently, a producer announced the cast of his new movie. I was surprised by his choice. I admire this director. Why would he select a heroine with a pan-India reach only to make her several shades darker, for a role that anybody in the south could play? Maybe because she is a commercially successful actor. But I have also worked with filmmakers who respect and value actors with my skin tone.  

 Are work hours more streamlined in the South? 

Our timings are streamlined. I have never felt that pressure. Of course, when you become a mother, there are challenges. Some women are open to working long hours. Everybody has different choices in life. Around seven or eight years back, I was itching to work on a film set. Today, I cherish that opportunity. Yes, it does get tiring sometimes, so I catch up on my sleep between shots. 

Your position on the pay-disparity debate? 

I am not driven by money. For me, the work matters more. I come from a privileged background. Tomorrow, if I choose to quit the cinema, my family can fund me. Money is an added bonus. I am happy with whatever I am getting paid right now.