Simran has been a constant in Indian cinema for over 25 years, seamlessly transitioning between eras, genres, and languages. With her versatile acting skills and natural screen presence, she continues to captivate audiences, refusing to be boxed into stereotypes. After her recent appearance in the Ajith Kumar-starrer Good Bad Ugly, Simran is now eagerly awaiting the release of Tourist Family, a family drama packed with comedy and emotions. In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, the seasoned actress opened up about her upcoming projects, her selection process, and her desire to explore the action genre.
On Signing Tourist Family
Speaking about what drew her to debutant director Abishan Jeevinth’s Tourist Family, Simran’s excitement is palpable. “What excited me was that this is a family drama with comedy. With so much humour in it, it caters to the audience well,” she says with a smile. Simran emphasizes that making audiences laugh and leave theatres with joy is one of the biggest achievements for a film’s team.
“When the family audience comes out of the theatres laughing and talking about the film, it tells us that the team's hard work has paid off,” she explains. According to her, Tamil cinema hasn't seen a lighthearted family drama like this in a long time, and she feels Tourist Family fills that gap perfectly.
The project also comes with a promising young team. “The entire team behind the film is young, and the producers have already delivered two hit films – Good Night and Lover,” Simran points out. Talking about her co-star Sasikumar, she adds, “He’s not just a great actor but also an accomplished director. His subtle acting brings an authenticity that elevates the film.”
Simran believes Tourist Family is a beautiful blend of various emotions. “It has a mix of emotion, romance, comedy, and drama, and I feel it’s really going to be nice," she says. The actress looks forward to seeing how the audience embraces the film when it hits theatres on May 1.
On Being Selective About Scripts
Even after decades in the industry, Simran remains as choosy as ever. Unlike many, she doesn’t get swayed by big names attached to a project. For her, the script reigns supreme.
“The script is the master of everything,” she says firmly. “It’s only a good script that makes me sign a project. I never sign a film just because a famous actor, producer, or director is involved. If that comes along with a good script, then great. Otherwise, it’s not enough.”
Simran also doesn’t shy away from rejecting projects that don’t align with her values or standards. She candidly reveals, “Sometimes you have to let go of films because the roles don’t work or they are not good paymasters. Some people feel like they are doing us a favour by offering us a role and giving poor remuneration – I don’t like such people and don’t want to work with them.”
Her honesty about the industry's darker sides is refreshing. Simran’s ability to prioritize respect and quality over opportunism shows why she remains a respected figure even after so many years.
On Her Experience in Good Bad Ugly
Simran’s recent film Good Bad Ugly, directed by Adhik Ravichandran and starring Kollywood superstar Ajith Kumar, received a lot of attention. Talking about her experience on the film, Simran lights up.
“It was a wonderful experience,” she says. “Working with Ajith Kumar again was fantastic. He is so grounded and genuine, and that energy reflects on the sets too.” Simran also credits director Adhik Ravichandran for bringing a fresh energy to the project. “Adhik is a director who understands both mass and emotional beats. He is passionate and always ready to experiment.”
She elaborates that the environment on the sets of Good Bad Ugly was one of collaboration and creative freedom. "There was a lot of space for actors to bring their own interpretation to the character, which I loved," Simran notes. For someone who cherishes artistic freedom, this project was a perfect fit.
Why Simran Wants to Explore Action Roles
Having explored almost every genre—drama, romance, comedy—Simran is now setting her eyes on something she hasn't fully embraced yet: action. The actress expresses a strong desire to take on action-packed roles in the future.
“I’ve never really done a full-fledged action role, and it’s something I want to experience now,” she shares. For Simran, action roles aren’t just about stunts or fight sequences; it’s about breaking the stereotype that action is a domain limited to male actors or younger stars.
“I want to challenge myself physically and mentally. Action films demand a different kind of discipline, and I am ready for it,” she says with determination. She adds that age shouldn’t be a limiting factor when it comes to action films. “Look at Hollywood! There are actors well into their 50s doing some phenomenal action work. Why should we hold ourselves back?”
Simran hopes filmmakers recognize her interest in the genre and offer her roles that allow her to flex her action muscles. “There’s a whole range of emotions and stories that can be told through action films too, and I want to be a part of that world,” she insists.
A Happy Space
Reflecting on her journey so far, Simran says she’s in a happy space when it comes to her career. “I feel fortunate that I still get to do roles that excite me, work with passionate teams, and be part of films that people remember,” she says gratefully.
The actress’s grounded nature, passion for good cinema, and courage to speak her mind have made her one of the most enduring and beloved names in the industry. Whether it's making audiences laugh with Tourist Family or taking a daring leap into action roles in the future, Simran shows no signs of slowing down.
“Right now, I’m just excited to see where this new phase of my journey takes me,” she says with a smile.
And if her track record is anything to go by, Simran is only getting started.