New Delhi: Speaking about her experience filming Merry Christmas with director Sriram Raghavan and co-star Vijay Sethupathi, actress Katrina Kaif revealed that the filmmaker assigned her "homework" to help develop her role. Although Katrina is primarily renowned for her glitzy big-screen parts, she occasionally ventures into more serious roles and Merry Christmas is viewed as a rare character-driven movie for her.. On the other hand, although Vijay Sethupathi occasionally appears in big-budget blockbusters, he is more known for his calmer performances. 


She was questioned if Merry Christmas was a tough transition for her in an interview with Film Companion because she had portrayed "morally upright" women in the majority of her previous roles. She said, "Just because a lot of the films I’ve been a part of haven’t portrayed that, it doesn’t mean that me as a person doesn’t understand it, or doesn’t relate to it, or hasn’t experienced it. A lot of it came from discussions with Sriram sir. After our first meeting, where he narrated the film, he told me to write my own backstory for the character. He said, ‘Tell me what you think, where she came from, who she is, why she does what she does’. That process really helped me understand the world…"


On being asked if Vijay also wrote backstories, Katrina quipped with a laugh, "I don’t think he was asked to write a backstory. I think that homework was only given to me. Because he’s the class topper, no?” Replying to it, Vijay said, "Only I know the pain I go through. Generally, when I hear a story, I try to understand about the character’s past life, and I ask questions.” 


Vijay Sethupathi, when invited to an award show, casually dropped a hilarious bombshell: "Madam, I cannot come; I don't have clothes." Hearing this, Katrina Kaif chimed in, suggesting it was the most polite way of turning down an invitation. Vijay, the candid star, spilled the beans on avoiding award functions like a pro.


Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif starrer 'Merry Christmas' releases in theatres on January 12.


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