I think cinema itself has become global post-pandemic, its consumption [is] so universal―languages aren’t barriers anymore,” said actor Tamannaah Bhatia. She spoke from experience. After debuting in 2005 in the Hindi film Chand Sa Roshan Chehra, Bhatia has straddled Kannada, Telugu and Tamil films. Her body of work encompasses a wide variety of roles―from a warrior princess and a village belle to a bouncer and a dancer. Last year, Madhur Bhandarkar directed her in the Hindi film, Babli Bouncer, which premiered on Disney+ Hotstar, and she flagged off this year with the romantic drama Jee Karda on Amazon Prime Video, in which she plays a woman in her 30s looking back on her life.
However, Bhatia is in the news for her latest OTT film on Netflix, Lust Stories 2. She stars opposite actor Vijay Varma. Said Bhatia, “I think OTT gives us a great space. It gives us a chance to be different people. I got to show my physical strength in Babli Bouncer, and, in Jee Karda, I got the chance to showcase an urban Mumbai girl. Also, it is being consumed globally―I don’t think they’re churning out movies in long format only in our country, but for global consumption. So, for us, it is an interesting time, where we are putting our stories out but they are consumed all over the world.”
So what has it been like to be a part of big productions? “The thing about being a part of these humongous films is that nobody really knows until it goes out to people,” she said. Bhatia gave credit for her popularity [in the south] to the resonance that her films have had with the audience. “I got a lot of acceptance from the audience,” she said, “I think it is how the south understands that telling rooted stories is unique.”
Recently, Bhatia became Swiss watchmaker Longines’s Brand Friend. “I own it, my family owns it,” said Bhatia, “It is a brand I gravitated towards when it came to watches. Longines really stands for its tagline―‘Elegance is an attitude’. It has stood the test of time when it comes to the pieces they churn out, and they continue to do that.” She feels watches are a reflection of a person, and does not enjoy pieces that are heavy or bejewelled. “When I think of owning a watch or getting one as a gift, I would naturally come to this brand. It is my sense of style,” she said.
Films are not the only thing keeping the actor busy. In 2021, Bhatia unveiled her book, Back to the Roots, which she co-authored with Luke Coutinho, a celebrity lifestyle coach. It dealt with ancient Indian health and wellness practices for a holistic life. This year, the actor also launched her online jewellery brand, Wite&Gold.
Having completed nearly 18 years in films, what have been the lessons she learnt along the way? “What I’ve definitely learned is that consistency is key. You have to keep working on your craft. The key is to evolve as a person and it will naturally translate into whatever job you’re in,” said Bhatia.