Kollywood prefers traditional names

They might want their heroines to wear a bikini and hot up the screen with a lip lock,but when it comes to their names, our Kollywood directors prefer a traditional touch.
Dont believe us In Yathumaagi, Sunanina was called Annam and in Paiyaa, PYT Tamannaah was christened Charulatha.Vijayalakshmi, who had Selvi for a screen name in her first flick Chennai 600028, plays Krishnaveni in Kattradhu Kalavu,where she opted for an uber chic look.Anushka might have set the screen on fire with her sexy moves in Vettaikaran, but a rather demure Susheela, a name that was popular in the late 60s and early 70s, was what she went by in the film. We wouldnt be wrong if we said that Anjali and Nandhagi owe their popularity to the characters Kani and Tamilarasi they played in Angadi Theru and Aval Peyar Tamilarasi respectively. And whats more, Nayanthara,who bowled the audience with her bikini-clad figure in Billa,will be called Chandrika in her upcoming flick, Boss Engira Baskaran.
So, whats it that makes the filmmakers choose traditional names for their lead heroines Rajesh, director of Boss Engira Baskaran, says that the name Chandrika is not an often used one and the uniqueness of this name will make Nayantharas character popular.
Nayantharas character in my movie is very simple.I want the audience to relate her to a level-headed girl who lives in a small town. And names like Priya and Pooja are too clichd they are common and everyone in the city would have heard these names. Chandrika projects the image of a girl who is serious about life.This name will infuse life into Nayantharas character, he says.
Madhumita,director of Kola Kolaya Mundhirika,named Shika Krishnaveni aka Veni because the script demanded it. I had to choose a name that could convincingly be used for both the hero and the heroine. So,I chose Krish a shorter version of Krishna and Krishnaveni. My film had an element of suspense in it and I wanted the lead characters names to add to the suspense, she says.
What do the leading ladies have to say about their onscreen names While Nayanthara is quite happy about having a unique on-screen name, Anjali, apparently, was initially apprehensive about being called Kani.
I play a sensible middleclass girl in Boss Engira Baskaran, who expects everyone to be practical in life. Chandrika is an apt name for my character. Though I initially had trouble remembering the name, I came to love it later, says Nayanthara.
But Anjali has a different story to tell. When Vasanthabalan sir told me my name would be Kani in Angadi Theru, I wasnt happy. I mean, Kani is the kind of name a grocery shop would have! It was old-fashioned and I didnt think any girl born in this era would have a name like that. But Vasanthabalan sir stuck to his guns and I also gave in. As the shoot progressed, I realised the name had a nice recall value.Now that the movie has become a hit, people address me as Kani and Im loving it! she exclaims. So, it seems like old names are, after all, here to stay!
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