'19 Steps' is my next big film, says Asin

Mar 8, 2009 IANS

Thiruvananthapuram, March 8 (IANS) Asin, who shot into popularity with the film "Ghajini", made in Tamil and then in Hindi, is now aiming to scale even greater heights in the multi-lingual film "19 Steps" to be directed by Bharath Bala.

"The film is being produced by Walt Disney and a good portion will be shot in Kerala. Kamal Haasan plays an important role in the film which also has popular Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano. This is going to be made in Tamil, Japanese and English and would commence in the second half of this year," Asin told reporters here Sunday.

"For '19 Steps', I am now soon going to learn martial arts because the story line demands that," said Asin.

This film, being written by veteran Malayalam scriptwriter, M.T.Vasudevan Nair, tells the tale of a Samurai warrior trying to conquer the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu.

Kamal Haasan plays the role of an Indian martial arts guru.

Asin, who studied in Kochi, made her debut in the Sathyan Anthikkad-directed "Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka" in 2001 when she was just 15 years old. Since then she has acted in both Tamil and Telegu films besides "Ghajini".

Now settled in Mumbai, she said that she is selective when it comes to roles and after her debut Malayalam film, she just could not work in any other Malayalam films.

"I got a few offers but somehow it did not work out," she said.

Asin said she is now completing her second Bollywood film " London Dreams" in which Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan play key roles.

She said her success in the industry was due to the full support her parents gave her and that they allowed her to take her own decisions.