Chennai, Dec 27 (IANS): Actress Wamiqa Gabbi, who is making her Tamil debut with forthcoming romantic-drama "Maalai Nerathu Mayakkam", says she couldn't have asked for a better launch for her career.

"I'm playing a character that's unlike the chirpy roles I've essayed in my Punjabi films. I have so much to perform and I couldn't have asked for a better role to launch my career in Tamil," Wamiqa, who has also featured in Hindi film "Sixteen", told IANS.

'Maalai Nerathu Mayakkama' was planned and shelved a few years ago by filmmaker Selvaraghavan, but his wife Geethanjali took over the reins and has completed the project.

Wamiqa, quite naturally, had some apprehensions about the industry when she was called for auditions.

"Initially, I was not quite sure about the south filmdom, and I was doubtful too about the project because I didn't know anyone. I anyways auditioned and was subsequently signed for it," she recalls.

Wamiqa started shooting for the film a day after she was confirmed.

"Everything happened so quickly. I was on the sets, and it was here I learnt about Selva sir's association with the project. I did my research on him and even watched a couple of his films. I realised he's a great director and this was his script," she said.

"I felt I'll get to learn from him, and I did quite a bit," she added.

Working with Geethanjali was "great" for Wamiqa. "She's been really nice and supportive. You can't discuss everything with a male director. Here, I directly go to her and discuss my problems. We didn't bond like actor and director," she said.

The film, which releases on January 1 next year also features Balakrishna Kola in the lead.