Abhirami on 'Blast', bruising action scenes and missing Malayalam offers

Bruises on her arms and legs, persistent knee pain and aching muscles from throwing punches. For Abhirami, these were all part of bringing Neelaveni, the action-packed mother at the centre of Tamil blockbuster 'Blast', to life.

The film, which has struck a chord with audiences across South India, casts Abhirami as a woman who will go to any lengths to protect her husband and daughter. The role demanded more than just emotional intensity. It required physical endurance as well.

"Out of the 25 days of shooting, nearly 20 were dedicated to action sequences," she says. "Many of them were filmed at night and in the rain. It was physically demanding, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience."

As 'Blast' continues its successful theatrical run, Abhirami's commanding screen presence has once again drawn attention to a question Malayalam audiences have been asking for years: why does an actor who remains active across Tamil, Telugu and Kannada cinema appear so rarely in Malayalam films?

"I don't know either," she says candidly. "I would love to be part of the high-quality films being made in Malayalam. But for some reason, the offers aren't coming. I haven't harmed anyone or behaved badly with anyone. Is someone deliberately avoiding me? I don't know. I've never really felt that way. Still, I hope opportunities will come my way. I'm here, and I'm willing to wait."

The actor says she was immediately intrigued when director Subhash K Raj approached her with 'Blast'. At just 29, the filmmaker narrated the story over Zoom and left a strong impression.

"The narrative was unlike anything I had heard before," she recalls. "He explained the story from beginning to end and had a very clear understanding of its visual language." The involvement of AGS Entertainment further strengthened her confidence in the project.

"If a production house of that stature was willing to back such a young filmmaker, there had to be a reason. I agreed almost immediately. But I never imagined the film would become such a huge success."

Playing Neelaveni also meant undergoing formal martial arts training. Abhirami insists the preparation was necessary if the action sequences were to look convincing.

"When I heard the story, I told them I needed proper karate training," she says. "I learned how to punch, block and execute the movements correctly. The stunt master was extremely supportive, and we rehearsed before every shot."

She also credits co-star Arjun Sarja, widely known for his action films and martial arts background, for helping her and actor Preethi Mukundan, who plays her daughter, through many of the demanding fight sequences.
While 'Blast' has often been described as a women-centric film, Abhirami believes its appeal extends beyond that label.

"I don't know if that was the director's primary intention," she says. "But it certainly challenges the idea that only men can come to the rescue."
At its core, she sees the film as a family story. "A daughter fights alongside her father, while the mother is strong enough to protect both of them. After the film released, audiences found deeper meanings in it."

According to her, one of the film's greatest achievements is the way it has encouraged conversations about raising physically and mentally strong children and rethinking traditional ideas of gender roles.

The success of 'Blast' also carries a sense of nostalgia for Abhirami. Her Tamil cinema journey began in 2000 with 'Vaanavil', where she starred opposite Arjun Sarja. Four years later, she moved to the United States for higher studies and work, spending nearly a decade away from the industry.

"When I left, I never imagined I would return to cinema," she says.

Her comeback came in 2013 when she returned to dub for Kamal Haasan's 'Vishwaroopam'. What began as a dubbing assignment gradually evolved into a full-fledged return to acting.

Since then, she has shared screen space with some of Indian cinema's biggest names, including Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, while continuing to build a steady career across multiple industries.

Now based in Bengaluru, Abhirami remains busier than ever. She is currently working on three Telugu films and a Kannada project. Her most recent Malayalam release was 'Garudan', which hit theatres two years ago.

She is also awaiting the release of a new Malayalam film directed by Ranjith, in which she stars opposite Prakash Varma. The dubbing has already been completed.
For now, however, it is 'Blast' that is keeping her in the spotlight, proving that even after decades in the industry, Abhirami still has the ability to surprise audiences, whether through emotional performances or bruising action sequences.