Getting good performances from actors is my biggest plus point: Suhasini Mani Ratnam | WATCH

Veteran filmmaker and actor Suhasini Mani Ratnam wears multiple hats in the Indian film industry, effortlessly juggling roles as an actor, writer, producer, and director. She has recently been winning hearts with her performance as Shobha in Sony LIV’s Malayalam series ‘Jai Mahendran’, directed by Srikanth Mohan.

In an exclusive conversation with Mathrubhumi, Suhasini opened up about the intricacies of her multifaceted career, revealing the most challenging aspect of her creative pursuits.

According to her, “direction is the most difficult of them all.” She explains: “In acting, there is somebody to direct you. I always feel that being directed by somebody is a luxury. If someone can teach you how to walk from point to point, when to pause in your dialogue, and where to look while saying a particular dialogue or the kind of emotions needed and there is somebody to balance it out for you, then it is a luxury. For me to be directed by somebody is a luxury. But when you are a director, there are 200 people waiting for instructions from you. It can go wrong or right. Being a director is difficult. It is more challenging,” said the 63-year-old.

While acknowledging the demands of direction, she confesses that it remains her greatest strength and passion. “As Suhasini Haasan Mani Ratnam, my biggest plus point will be directing actors. Getting good performances from actors is my biggest plus point. It comes very naturally to me.”

Looking ahead, Suhasini shares her aspirations beyond direction, revealing a surprising dream – to nurture talent as an acting coach, fostering the next generation of performers. She wrapped up the conversation, saying, “Maybe tomorrow when I don;t want to give instructions to hundreds of people, and if I become an acting coach to somebody, I’ll happily take up that job.”