At the 55th Tiger Balm Filmfare Awards (South), on Saturday evening at the Nehru stadium, the cynosure of all eyes was Sarath Kumar and his beautiful daughter Varalaxmi looking gorgeous in a blue net sari with intricate zardosi work.It looked like Sarath was officially launching her at Kollywood’s biggest bash, though they came just to attend the function. They got top billing and were invited on stage to present Priyamani with her award.
The grapevine was abuzz with rumours a few weeks ago that Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar was going to play Simbu’s heroine in his next film Poda Podi, a musical love story, to be shot in Toronto by a US-based NRI. Varalaxmi, Sarath’s daughter from his first marriage to Chaya, a designer and social worker, is beautiful, tall and attractive. She is also articulate, has style and élan to be a movie star, and is said to be a good dancer.
Varalaxmi or Varu as she is called at home has done her PhD in microbiology and has an MSc in management from the Edinburgh University in Scotland.
Speaking exclusively to CT, Varu says, “I always wanted to be an actress. I had done some stage shows and was also very impressed by Cats, the Broadway show. I even staged the show in Chennai for my friends and family. I think that must have impressed my dad, who agreed to launch me in movies.” Varu has done a six-month acting course from the prestigious Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares academy in Mumbai.
When contacted, Sarath Kumar says, “I believe any talent has to be encouraged. Like any father, I wanted her to complete her basic studies and then branch out into acting, which is her passion. Her stage show impressed me a lot. I know she has it in her to make it big in cinema. I will always be there as her guiding force to make her career a success.”
