Actress Sridevi Apalla has opened up about the profound emotional impact her character in the Tamil film Haiku had on her, revealing that the role stayed with her long after the cameras stopped rolling — and even after she completed dubbing. The film marks her debut in Tamil cinema, following her acclaimed performance in the superhit Telugu court drama Court: State Vs Nobody.

A Character That Refused to Leave

Describing the emotional intensity of the role, Sridevi said, 'When Yuvaraj narrated the script, I could sense that my character carried so many layers of emotion. There were days when I would return home after the shoot, but a part of me would still be living in that character. Even after I completed dubbing, I found it difficult to let go. It was as though the character had left a little bit of herself within me, and I was still carrying those emotions. That is something I will always cherish about Haiku.'

The actress added, 'I am deeply thankful to my producers and director for trusting me with this opportunity, and to my co-star Aegan for being part of this wonderful experience. Some roles end when the work is done, but a few stay with you in ways words can hardly explain. This character will always be one of those roles for me.'

From Telugu Courts to Tamil Screens

Sridevi's understated performance in Court: State Vs Nobody won her appreciation beyond the Telugu-speaking audience, establishing her as a performer with considerable range. The transition to Tamil cinema with Haiku represents a significant step in her career, bringing her into contact with a new audience and a distinct filmmaking sensibility.

Notably, the emotional depth she describes aligns with the kind of restrained, layered acting that earned her recognition in her Telugu debut — suggesting a deliberate choice of projects over high-visibility ones.

About Haiku

Haiku has been written and directed by Yuvaraj Chinnaswamy and stars Aegan, Sridevi Apalla, and Femina George in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes Adirchi Arun, Subramaniya Sethu, Adhiyaman, Mime Gopi, and Indhumathi Manigandan, among others.

The film has been produced by Dr. D. Arulanandhu and Mathewo Arulanandhu under the Vision Cinema House banner. Music is composed by Siddhu Kumar, cinematography is handled by Priyesh Gurusamy, editing by Sakthi Praneesh P, and additional screenplay by Hariharan Ram. B. Sakthivelan of Sakthi Film Factory has distributed the film across Tamil Nadu.

What to Watch For

With Haiku now in theatres, audience response will be a key indicator of whether Sridevi Apalla can replicate the cross-language appreciation she earned in Telugu. For director Yuvaraj Chinnaswamy, the film is also a test of his ability to draw layered performances from a cast navigating emotionally complex material.