Abhirami hails new wave in Tamil cinema, says “stereotypes have been broken”
Actress Abhirami discusses her fitness transformation for “Blast”, the evolving roles for women in Tamil cinema, and her reunion with Arjun Sarja.
Abhirami reveals a rigorous fitness regime for her action role in “Blast”. She also notes a shift in Tamil cinema, where older actresses are finally getting substantial parts.
Abhirami, Blast, Tamil cinema, women in film, Arjun Sarja, fitness transformation, action movies, industry change, back injury, stunt team
Actress Abhirami steps into a new chapter of her career with the release of “Blast”, which hit theatres on 28 May 2026. Known for roles in “Virumaandi” and “Maharaja”, she now surprises fans with a dramatic physical change and an action‑driven performance.
In an exclusive chat with Etimes, Abhirami admitted the preparation was grueling but rewarding. “It was tough. But the end goal was in sight, so it was worth it,” she said, referring to the fitness regime that reshaped her physique. She added that seeing her before‑and‑after pictures keeps her motivated, and fans have already started praising the new look online.
On the broader picture, Abhirami said she feels “lucky and blessed” to keep receiving meaningful roles after decades in the industry. She observed that Tamil cinema is slowly moving away from the age‑based stereotypes that once limited actresses. “Not everyone gets good roles. I see this as a positive change in cinema,” she noted.
She pointed out that older female actors were traditionally pigeonholed, but now the mindset is shifting. “Beyond that, the stereotypes have been broken. People have started thinking differently,” she added, a comment that resonated strongly with women who have followed her evolution from emotional dramas to more physical, performance‑focused roles.
Abhirami also disclosed that her transformation began after a back injury sustained before shooting “Blast”. While health and fitness were always important, the injury forced her to take her regimen more seriously. “Little changes helped me in a big way,” she explained, crediting a nutritionist, physiotherapist and trainer for the progress.
Because “Blast” centres on a martial‑arts family, the action sequences demanded proper preparation. “If we don’t train properly, the audience will immediately notice it,” she said candidly. She praised stunt master Prabhu, actor Arjun Sarja and the entire stunt crew for safeguarding the actors during demanding scenes. “They took great care of us. Without their cooperation, we could not have done this,” she added.
Speaking about reuniting with Arjun Sarja, Abhirami’s tone brightened. She recalled their first collaboration when she was new to the industry and expressed enthusiasm about working together again after many years.
Overall, the actress’s comments underline a palpable shift in Tamil cinema’s approach to female talent, especially those beyond the typical ‘young heroine’ bracket. Her own journey—fuelled by injury, disciplined training, and a supportive stunt team—mirrors the broader change she celebrates.