MAKING A POINT: Suja

A RURAL DEBUT!        Actress Suja, who played the second lead in Milaga  opposite cinematographer-turned-actor Natarj, is quite excited about the reviews she's been getting for her role. "Though I played only the second lead, several people praised me for my work,"she says.         Explaining how she bagged the role in I Milaga, Suja says, "I came to know that director Ravi Maria was looking for a girl with traditional rural looks to play the lead and I autitioned for the same. After a few days, Ravi called and asked me to join the unit directly in Madurai, I didn't even know if I was going to play the lead or the secondlead, Nevertheless, I was excited as it was my first big break. I even dubbed for myself," However, Milaga isn't Suja's first on-screen appearance. "I've done several dance numbers withArjun (Ennadi Muniyanmma... from Vaathiyar), Sibiraj (Lee and Srikanth (Varnajaalam), and even did a cameo in Kuselan," she says.         But Suja takes offence when she's referred to as an item dancer. "Earlier, those who did solo numbers were referred to as solo dancers. But now, they're called item dancers! We are no different from heroines - we too dance with the heroes and pay attention to our costumes and emotions. It's vulgar when you refer to us as item dancers," says Suja, who's now busy shooting with Shanthanoo for Aayiram Vilakku, "The role is similar to what Urmila Matondkar did in Indian. I'm also doing the Telugu version of Aptharakshaka with Venkatesh," she signs off.