Potpourri of titbits about cinema - Sachu

When I was twelve years, I acted as Sivaji’s younger sister in the film ‘Koteeswaran’ and as MGR’s sister in ‘Kalaiyarasi’. I did a dance number in the Sivaji-starrer ‘Maragatham’. In the year 1962, I acted as the heroine for the first time. The film was ‘Veerathirumagan’. The hero was C. L. Anandan, the movie was directed by A. C. Thirulokchander. The song “Roja malarae Rajakumari …” became a hit and is appreciated even today. I was introduced to Thirulokchander by the AVM people who had already signed me for their film ‘Annai’. I had done many films with Nagesh, but ‘Kaadhalikka neramillai’, starring both of us is being appreciated even today
(Sachu was in tears when she spoke about Nagesh and his death.)

Q: Q: Which of your movies you like the most …?

A: All my films as a child artiste are my favorites. Films as a grown-up artiste - ‘Kaadhalikka neramillai’, ‘Poovaa, thalaiyaa’, ‘Ooty varai uravu’, ‘Urimaikkural’, ‘Bommalaattam’, ‘Galatta kalyanam’, ‘Mattukkara Velan’, ‘Uththiravinri ulle vaa’ – the list is unending. I’ll tell you about an interesting incident. In the film ‘Mattukkara Velan’, I was a woman CID officer. At the climax scene, the villain and his henchmen would attack MGR. I would save MGR by shooting at them. When the film released, many gypsies came to my house and called out for me. They all fell at my feet and thanked me for saving their ‘Idhayadeivam’ MGR in the movie and gave me presents also in appreciation for my ‘timely help’! Even today, it feels fabulous whenever I recall it!

Q: Q: Do you have experience as a theatre artiste?

A: During those days, people from theatre entered cinema. But in my case, it was just the reverse. I entered theatre from cinema. I had acted in many stage plays even during the period when I was very busy in films. Now, I am acting in television serials too.

Q: Q: Do you ever regret that you couldn’t continue as heroine though initially you donned the roles of one …?

A: I am happy with the way my career was poised. If I had continued as heroine, I could have remained in the industry only for four or five years. It is because I shifted to comedy, I am still in the field. I am content in my space as a comedienne. God is great; only His will always prevails!

Sachu, who didn’t marry because of her family responsibilities, is an affectionate sister to all her siblings. She makes it a point to be in touch with her co-stars of yesteryears. She keeps enquiring about their well being through phone. I pray to God that Sachu be blessed with all prosperity and good health and a long life. Let her fans enjoy her acting in more and more films in future!