'Aarohanam' was challening, didn't do homework: Viji

Tamil actress Viji Chandrasekhar says playing a character with multiple shades in "Aarohanam" was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, adding that she pulled it off without any homework.

Viji plays a vegetable vendor affected by bipolar disorder in the family-drama.

"Playing Nirmala was like once-in-a-life time opportunity. The biggest challenge was transforming into Nirmala - a wife and mother with different shades and still being able to connect with the audience," she told IANS.

"Aarohanam" revolves around a 17-year-old boy and his sister who are in search of their missing mother.

Lakshmy Ramakrishnan has written and directed it.

How was it working with Lakshmy?

"I didn't do any homework for the movie. I would just go to the shooting spot and do what Lakshmi asked me to. All of us were given the freedom to explore our roles. Lakshmy was clear about what she wanted and would fight to get it," Viji added.

The actress, known for Tamil films such as "Thillu Mullu" and "'Aaytha Ezhuthu', is the sister of yesteryear actress Saritha.

What does the film convey to the audience?

"The film focuses on the aspect that irrespective of our shortcomings, there's something positive in all of us. We should try and find that positive side and nurture it," she added.

Besides Viji, the film also stars Jayaprakash, Kavithalaya Krishnan, Uma Padmanabhan, Rajee Vijayasarathy and Sampath Raj.