When Jyotika got her hands on the script of Kaathal: The Core, the 2023 drama that she headlined alongside Mammootty, one of the first people she shared it with was her own children.
In an exclusive conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Jyotika talks about why sharing her scripts with her children helps her better navigate her films and why she feels Gen-Z has the right work-life balance.
"I bounce two-line pitches of the scripts that I like off of them, and take their feedback. It helps me check whether we’re picking the right stories for their generation," says Jyotika. The actor says that she deeply values their views and perspectives on the stories as it helps her connect with the younger audience.
Suriya backs this sentiment, adding that his children received the script for Kaathal: The Core quite well. “It was not like 'no', 'how' or 'what'. They were very excited,” revealing that their kids were happy and supportive of Jyotika being part of such a film. The Malayalam film detailed the life of a closeted gay man navigating divorce.
"I think Gen-Z has their balance right. They want working hours that leave room for basketball, for their health... not just money. My son says five or six lakhs a year is enough to eat, sleep, watch movies and play a sport. We’re the ones who feel guilty taking a break; that’s our conditioning, not theirs," claims Jyotika.
She adds that she and Suriya belong to a generation that has focused only on working. “We’ve only worked all the time, so we feel guilty if we take a break. We’re made differently, I guess.”
The actor goes on to express admiration for the younger generation's balanced approach to work and health. "The physical aspect is as important to them as it is to earn money. They’re looking at shorter hours of work which will yield more,” she says.
"I think Gen Z is really smart...I’d say we’ve got a lot of knowledge from them,” she concludes.
Watch the full interview on The Hollywood Reporter India’s YouTube channel.