Actor and dancer Shamna Kasim, popularly known as Purnaa, says she was stunned when she was approached for a song in Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2. The performer believes her much-discussed appearance in ‘Kurchi Madathapetti’ helped open the door to the opportunity.
Shamna Kasim is looking forward to making her presence felt again in Tamil cinema, but when the opportunity to dance in a Rajinikanth film came her way, she says there was little to think about.
The actor, who has appeared in Tamil films including Vellore Maavattam and Savarakathi, says working on a Rajinikanth project was an opportunity she could not imagine turning down—even if it meant appearing in a special dance number.
“I don’t think one would say ‘no, I am waiting for a strong script’ when you are offered a Rajini sir film, even if it’s a special number like Ala Bolelo,” Shamna said.
For Shamna, the opportunity also connects directly with the art form that came before cinema in her life: dance.
‘Cinema Was an Accident to Me’
Although she is widely known as an actor, Shamna says dance has always been central to her identity.
Trained in classical dance forms including Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam, she had originally imagined a career in teaching dance rather than entering the film industry.
“Cinema was an accident to me,” she said, adding that dance has always remained her primary passion.
“Having trained in dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam, dance has always been my passion. Teaching dance was the vocation I was planning for. So even in terms of importance, to me dance comes first.”
That deep connection with dance eventually became central to one of the latest major opportunities in her career.
How ‘Kurchi Madathapetti’ Led to Jailer 2
According to Shamna, her appearance in the popular song Kurchi Madathapetti from Guntur Kaaram helped lead to her being considered for Jailer 2.
She said she initially found it difficult to believe the call was genuine.
“For some time I thought it was a prank call from someone,” she recalled.
Once she confirmed that the opportunity was real, the excitement quickly took over.
“I was overjoyed and didn’t know who to tell first,” she said.
Shamna said she was finalised by the makers of Jailer 2 after her appearance in Kurchi Madathapetti attracted attention.
The earlier song featured prominent performers including Mahesh Babu and Sreeleela, and Shamna said she had not expected to receive such a strong response to her own appearance.
Her Anxiety Before ‘Kurchi Madathapetti’
Shamna revealed that she had initially been nervous about performing in Kurchi Madathapetti.
The song was filmed only months after the birth of her son, and she said she was concerned about how viewers might react to her appearance.
“The song was shot five months after my son was born, so I was on the heavier side and thought I would be trolled for the song,” she said.
Instead, she said the song gave her unexpected visibility.
“Never did I expect to get a spotlight in a song that features two power-packed dancers like Mahesh Babu and Sreeleela,” she said.
The recognition that followed, she believes, eventually contributed to the Jailer 2 opportunity.
‘My Kids Are My Lucky Charms’
Shamna also shared a personal anecdote about the timing of two major moments in her career.
She said her son had recently been born when she filmed Kurchi Madathapetti. Later, while performing for Ala Bolelo, she discovered that she had unknowingly been pregnant at the time.
“I think my kids are my lucky charms,” she said.
She recalled that she had carried several anxieties into the earlier song but later received appreciation for her performance.
For Shamna, the timing of these career moments has made her feel that her children have brought her good fortune.
Working With Nelson on the Song
Shamna described Jailer 2 director Nelson as highly involved in the creative process of the dance sequence.
According to her, the filmmaker paid close attention not only to the choreography but also to the expressions and overall grace of the performance.
“A dance number is generally a collaborative effort between the dancers and choreographers, and the directors too leave it to them,” she said.
“But Nelson was completely involved in the song process and kept correcting expressions.”
She recalled the director repeatedly reminding her to maintain grace throughout the performance.
“He used to tell me, ‘Madam, dance well but don’t let the grace drop’,” Shamna said.
During filming, she said, he would even use the microphone to remind her: “Grace, grace.”
For Shamna, having a director closely involved in the performance process made the experience particularly interesting.
Sharing the Screen With Rajinikanth
Working alongside Rajinikanth was another major moment for the actor and dancer.
Shamna admitted that her excitement about appearing in a project with the superstar initially made it difficult to move past her sense of awe and focus entirely on the performance.
“Knowing that I will be sharing the screen with Rajini sir, I was already floating in the air,” she said.
She also recalled a moment during a shooting break when Rajinikanth came over and complimented her.
According to Shamna, the actor told her that she had “powerful eyes.”
The compliment, she said, left her overjoyed.
Shamna Kasim Praises a New Generation of Dancers
Shamna also spoke about younger actors who have impressed her with their dancing abilities.
She singled out Mamitha Baiju as one of her favourites and recalled being surprised by her performance during a cultural event hosted by the Kerala film industry.
Shamna said she had not realised Mamitha had a background in classical dance until after seeing her perform.
“My God, I was blown away by her performance,” she said.
She also praised Sreeleela’s abilities as a dancer and said many younger performers bring a distinct energy and confidence to dance performances.
“All the new heroines carry this swag with them, and the way they approach dance is very new and different,” she observed.
How the ‘Special Song’ Culture Has Changed
Shamna also reflected on how the perception of special dance numbers has evolved within the film industry.
She said that there was once a tendency to view such appearances differently from conventional acting roles, with some female leads reluctant to participate.
According to Shamna, that attitude has gradually changed.
She believes women in the industry are now more aware of their choices and rights and are increasingly able to decide for themselves how they want to approach their careers.
Her own decision to take on Ala Bolelo, she suggests, was shaped by her love of dance and the significance of appearing in a Rajinikanth film.
Looking Back at Her Career Across Industries
Shamna has worked across several South Indian film industries, and she says each one has given her something different.
Coming from Kerala, she has built a career that includes Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films, among others.
She says the Malayalam film industry helped audiences recognise her identity as a dancer.
Tamil cinema, meanwhile, gave her the opportunity to take on a lead role.
In Telugu cinema, she said, she was able to explore both lead and character-driven roles.
“Every industry gave me something really special,” she reflected.
For Shamna, the different industries have helped shape different aspects of her career rather than offering the same kind of opportunity.
A Return to Tamil Cinema on Her Terms
As she looks ahead, Shamna says she is actively listening to scripts and considering what kind of projects she wants to take on next.
However, she also says that her responsibilities as a mother remain her priority.
With two young children, she is currently balancing family life with plans for the next phase of her acting career.
“I am listening to scripts and making plans for what kind of films to star in in the future,” she said.
“But now, since I have two little ones to take care of, that takes precedence over everything.”
Still, she remains optimistic about what lies ahead.
“But my re-entry will meet your expectations, hopefully,” she said.
The Final Take
For Shamna Kasim, the path from Kurchi Madathapetti to Ala Bolelo appears to have been shaped by an unexpected combination of opportunity, persistence and her long-standing love for dance.
What began with training in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam eventually led her into cinema—a career path she describes as an accident. Yet dance has remained the constant thread running through her journey.
Her recent recognition has also given her another opportunity to showcase that passion on a major stage alongside one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars.
