Actor Amala Paul recalls shooting nude scenes for Aadai, says she wouldn't do it today

Actor Amala Paul has reflected on the risks she took with Aadai, saying she may not make the same choice today despite being grateful for the experience. Speaking at the India Today South Conclave 2026 in Kochi on Tuesday, the actor recalled her apprehension about taking on the 2019 Tamil thriller, which required her to appear nude for several portions.

Amala said her biggest concern was how the film, written and directed by Rathna Kumar, would approach the subject and whether the nudity would be treated as part of the story rather than its primary selling point. “I needed to trust the director and the cinematographer. My whole thinking was, are these people up for making an aesthetic film where it is emotionally driven or is it about nudity?” she said.

The actor revealed that she did not immediately accept the project and spent almost two months understanding the team’s approach. She also travelled with the team before making her decision. “Once I had the trust and was convinced that this was going to be creatively shot, it was a very beautiful creative process for all of us. They made me feel comfortable with minimal people on set,” she said.

Taking on the role also made Amala concerned about her image and the possibility of being stereotyped. “I had all these thoughts and I was scared about my image. I did not want to be stereotyped and do more such films,” she said.

Looking back, Amala said her perspective has changed with experience. “If you ask me to do an Aadai right now, I don’t think I would do it,” she said, while adding that she remains grateful for having taken the risk.

Meanwhile, the actor was last seen in the 2024 Malayalam films The Goat Life and Level Cross. She starred alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran in Blessy’s The Goat Life, while Level Cross, directed by Arfaz Ayub, featured her alongside Asif Ali and Sharaf U Dheen.- EndsALSO READ | I had guts: Amala Paul on navigating sexualisation, stereotypes in film industry