'I was never keen on a career as an actress'

Being the niece of Kamal Haasan is just one of the titles Anu Hasan enjoys.
She has carved an identity for herself as an actor, entrepreneur, television anchor and writer. Anu has always been rather choosy about her films, but Malayalis will soon get to see her in a prominent role in director Sujith S Kumar's Vaakku, which has M A Nishad as her co-star. We caught up with the actress to know about why she hasn't taken up a lead role since her popular debut movie Indira, what prompted her to work in Malayalam and more'
Vaakku is your second Malayalam film in a two-decade career as an actress.Tell us why you chose to be part of this particular film? It was actually unexpected. I live in the UK and come to India only to do films. M A Nishad had called my father to check if I would be interested in acting in a Malayalam film. My father said, 'She is right next to me, why don't you ask her yourself?' and that was how the whole conversation started. As I spoke to him, I realised two things: One, it was not a run-of-the-mill story and two, if I take it I would be working with some really pleasant people. Both those factors are really important to me and therefore I accepted it.
Tell us about your character in the film? I play a lower middle-class mother and portray her from age 30 to 60. She is a simple character but very focused. She is the finance manager of the family. She devotes her life for her son and shares a beautiful relationship with her husband. The enduring, deep friendship shines through the couple's interactions.
How different is the Malayalam film industry compared with Tamil, where you have been most active in? Personally I don't look at differences anymore. Having worked in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and English, it is easier to see similarities as they help me perform better than differences, which might limit me.
Your performance in the Tamil film Indira is still remembered by the audience. But you never took up lead roles later on. Why? I wasn't really keen on a career as an actress. I have always been someone who did something if it made me happy, not because it took me to a destination. So, fame was not on the top of my list. Also I wasn't interested in playing roles that involved running around trees and so I didn't really pay too much attention to films then. You are also a writer having authored a book and written several articles for magazines. Which role suits you best ' writer or actress? That depends on my mood. At times I am a better writer than an actor. Sometimes vice versa. I am very fickle that way. But I love whatever I do well.
What keeps you busy when you are not acting or writing? I work for a tech company in the UK. I have recently joined painting classes and am hoping to start painting a bit more. I am like a child really; I am busy all the time. But I have no idea what keeps me so busy and happy. What else is coming up in the film front? I need to finish dubbing for Valla Desam ' a Tamil action movie where I play the lead. I am also currently in discussion for a role in an English movie. There are some projects in TV that I am thinking about as well.