Never Imagined I’d Get to Do a Song With Rajini Sir: Shamna Kasim Calls Jailer 2 Appearance a Dream Come True

Shamna Kasim, popularly known as Purnaa in Tamil and Telugu cinema, reflects on sharing screen space with Rajinikanth in Jailer 2, the overwhelming response to Kurchi Madathapetti, motherhood, and her lifelong passion for dance.

Shamna Kasim, known to Tamil and Telugu audiences by her screen name Purnaa, says working alongside Rajinikanth in Jailer 2 is a moment she once never imagined would become reality.

The actor is set to feature in the song Ala Bolelo in the upcoming film and describes the opportunity to share screen space with the Superstar as a dream come true. For Purnaa, who has admired Rajinikanth’s work for years and even performed to songs from his films on stage, the experience carries a strong personal connection.

Her journey to this moment has also been marked by renewed popularity following her appearance in Kurchi Madathapetti from Mahesh Babu’s Guntur Kaaram, along with the challenges of balancing a busy career with motherhood and her continuing commitment to dance.

“It’s a Dream Come True to Work With Superstar”

Purnaa says that, like many actors, she had long hoped for an opportunity to work with Rajinikanth.

“Everybody dreams about working with Superstar. So, for me, it’s a dream come true,” she said.

Although she had previously seen Rajinikanth at Nadigar Sangam events, she never expected that she would one day appear with him in a song.

The actor also spoke about her affection for Minsara Kanna, the popular song from Rajinikanth’s Padayappa. She recalled imagining herself performing the song and dancing to it on several stages.

The eventual opportunity to appear alongside Rajinikanth therefore represents more than just another professional assignment. For Purnaa, it connects a childhood or early-career admiration for his cinema with a major milestone in her own journey as a performer.

She also recalled receiving a compliment from Rajinikanth about her expressive eyes.

Purnaa said she had heard similar compliments before, but hearing it from an actor with Rajinikanth’s long career and experience was particularly meaningful.

Rajinikanth’s Compliment Became a Memorable Moment

Purnaa has often been appreciated for her screen presence and expressive performances. However, the actor says Rajinikanth’s observation about her eyes stood out.

According to Purnaa, the Superstar complimented her expressive eyes, a moment she considers especially memorable because of his experience working with generations of leading actors.

For a performer, recognition from an established artist can become an important professional moment. Purnaa’s reaction reflects the significance Rajinikanth holds within Indian cinema and the admiration many actors have for his long and influential career.

Her appearance in Jailer 2 adds another notable project to a career that has taken her across multiple South Indian film industries.

“My Only Concern Was the Costume”

Purnaa said that she had one initial concern when the offer for the special song came her way: the costume.

Because the project involved a special song appearance, she wanted clarity about the costume and presentation. However, she said the team explained the concept and what she would be wearing, which put her at ease.

After that, she said she was simply excited to join the production.

Purnaa also revealed that she was not specifically instructed to keep her involvement in the film confidential. Instead, she personally preferred to wait for the news to emerge naturally rather than discuss it publicly before the appropriate time.

Her comments offer a glimpse into how actors sometimes approach announcements about major film projects, especially productions that already have significant audience anticipation.

The Unexpected Love for Kurchi Madathapetti

Before the attention surrounding Jailer 2, Purnaa received considerable appreciation for her appearance in Kurchi Madathapetti, the popular song from Mahesh Babu’s Guntur Kaaram.

However, she said she initially worried about how audiences would react.

Purnaa had given birth only a few months before filming her portion of the song and said she had gained weight during that period. At a time when body-shaming was frequently discussed in the entertainment industry and on social media, she feared she could become a target of negative comments.

Instead, the response was overwhelmingly different from what she expected.

Purnaa said she received a large number of messages after the song was released. Initially, she feared that the sudden attention could be linked to criticism, but she soon discovered that many viewers were responding positively.

The experience became an example of how performers’ expectations and audience reactions can sometimes differ significantly.

From Anxiety to a Positive Response

Purnaa’s experience following Kurchi Madathapetti also highlights the pressure faced by performers in an era of constant social media commentary.

Actors today often receive immediate reactions to their appearances, performances and personal lives. While this direct connection with audiences can bring appreciation, it can also expose public figures to criticism and body-shaming.

Purnaa said she had expected criticism because of her recent pregnancy and changes in her body. Instead, the response helped create renewed attention around her work.

Her experience underlines a broader shift in conversations around body image and motherhood in the entertainment industry. While social media criticism remains a concern for many public figures, audiences can also challenge negative assumptions by responding positively to performers who return to work after major life changes.

Balancing Motherhood and an Acting Career

Purnaa says motherhood has changed the way she approaches her professional commitments.

The actor is reportedly in discussions about projects in Tamil and Telugu, but she has become more selective because her children are still young.

She says their needs remain an important factor when deciding which projects to accept.

Rather than taking on every available opportunity, Purnaa is focusing on roles and productions that can be managed alongside her family responsibilities.

She is also cautious about films that require long shooting schedules.

By selecting projects that do not require extended periods away from home, she hopes to maintain a better balance between her professional ambitions and her responsibilities as a mother.

“Balancing a Career With Little Kids Isn’t Easy”

For Purnaa, the challenge of balancing work and family requires careful planning and a reliable support system.

She says she is fortunate to have strong family support, something she considers essential for managing both her acting career and motherhood.

The experience has also influenced the number of projects she accepts. Taking on fewer films, she says, makes it easier to manage her schedule and spend time with her children.

Her approach reflects a challenge faced by many working parents, particularly those in professions with demanding and unpredictable schedules.

Film productions can involve travel, long hours and extended shoots. For actors with young children, selecting the right projects can therefore become as important as the roles themselves.

Purnaa’s comments suggest that she remains committed to acting but is currently prioritising flexibility and family time when making professional decisions.

Dance Has Always Been Her First Passion

Alongside acting, dance continues to hold a central place in Purnaa’s life.

She says her mother always encouraged her not to give up dancing, and becoming a dance teacher was once one of her biggest dreams.

Today, that dream has become part of her professional life.

Purnaa is associated with a dance school in Dubai that was started by her husband. Her continued involvement in dance demonstrates that the art form remains more than simply an element of her screen career.

She also counts Madhuri Dixit among her biggest dance inspirations.

Purnaa has praised Madhuri Dixit’s grace and expressive style, qualities she encourages her own students to focus on.

For Purnaa, dance is not only about technical movement. She believes grace and expression are important parts of a complete performance.

A Performer Inspired by Madhuri Dixit

Purnaa’s admiration for Madhuri Dixit offers further insight into her approach to dance.

Madhuri Dixit has long been celebrated for combining technical ability with expressions and screen presence. Purnaa says these are qualities she deeply admires.

When teaching students, Purnaa encourages them to focus on performing with grace rather than treating dance as a series of steps alone.

This philosophy also connects with her own reputation as a performer known for expressive screen appearances.

Her passion for dance has remained consistent even as her professional journey has expanded across acting, special song appearances and television-related opportunities.

Shamna Kasim and Purnaa: Two Names, One Career

Purnaa is known by different names in different regions and industries.

In Malayalam cinema, audiences know her as Shamna Kasim, while Tamil and Telugu viewers widely recognise her as Purnaa.

She says this dual identity was initially difficult to navigate earlier in her career.

During the early years, she was not regularly appearing in Malayalam films, yet Malayali audiences recognised her by her original name while Tamil and Telugu audiences became familiar with her stage name.

Over time, however, she has become accustomed to being known differently across industries.

According to Purnaa, the attention surrounding Ala Bolelo has helped bring her two identities together in the minds of a wider audience.

She believes more people now recognise that Shamna Kasim and Purnaa are the same actor.

Why Purnaa’s Jailer 2 Appearance Is Generating Interest

Purnaa’s appearance in Jailer 2 has generated interest because it brings together several major elements of her career.

The project gives her the opportunity to share screen space with Rajinikanth, an actor she has admired for years. It comes after renewed public attention following Kurchi Madathapetti, while also highlighting her continuing connection with dance.

For Purnaa, the experience appears to represent both a professional achievement and a personal milestone.

Her story also reflects the changing nature of a modern actor’s career. She is simultaneously navigating film opportunities, motherhood, dance education and a public identity spread across multiple languages and regional industries.

What’s Next for Shamna Kasim?

Purnaa says she remains in discussions for new projects in Tamil and Telugu cinema.

However, she is approaching her future work selectively. With young children at home, she is prioritising projects that offer a workable balance between her professional responsibilities and family life.

At the same time, her passion for dance remains strong through her involvement with the Dubai-based dance school and her interest in teaching.

For audiences, Jailer 2 represents another major chapter in her career.

From performing Minsara Kanna on stage while imagining herself as part of the world of Padayappa to eventually sharing screen space with Rajinikanth, Purnaa’s latest milestone has come full circle.

As anticipation builds around Jailer 2 and the song Ala Bolelo, Shamna Kasim, or Purnaa, appears ready to embrace another memorable moment in a career that has already crossed languages, industries and generations of Indian cinema.