Chat with your Favourite Stars.............
* When you started your carrier as an actor?
I started my acting career in 2001, while studying in 9th standard.
*Which was your first film and how you rate yourself?
'Sayahnam' Directed by R. Sharath was the first film. I was fortunate and blessed to have the presence of O Madhavan Sir - the legendary actor in ‘Sayahnam’. Infact Madhavan sir was also apperaring in a movie for the 1st time. It was a film based on socio-political issues and I played a full length character as the grand child of Madhavan sir’s character.
I didn’t know much about cinema or acting then. Cinema was never a passion during that age and I didn’t have any plans of making acting my profession. And so there weren’t any sort of analysis or review from my part. During that time I had regular training in dance and music and that alone was my background. Infact I got the opportunity to act in the film through my dance teacher.
I just did whatever the director instructed me. In the very first shot in my career, I had a combination scene with Madhavan Sir. I was really tensed, but first shot first take was ok.
*As a heroine you had been through great times for the past few years, making big names all through the South Indian film industry? What was your experience in other language?
I have done films now in Tamil & Telugu. Cinema is the same every where, but way of film making seems to be different. In other languages, film making is a lengthy process. Minimum 4 to 5 months have to be allocated for a single film. Here in Malayalam films are made in 25 days. Other language films prefer to adapt new technology, spend time, energy and money to make film visually appealing and rich. In a sense approach has an innovative feel.
Malayalam films would always have more of a realistc feel while Telugu is fantasized. Tamil has all sorts of films – realistic, fantasised, technological etc. Each industry has its own identity and market and so is good in its perspective. As far as an actor is concerned, working in these variant atmospheres help to refine ones acting abilities. Malayalam film got its own identity in Indian cinema. Am proud to be a part of Malayalam cinema.
*How do you assess your performance in each film? What improvement you bring to your acting when you took up new project?
Till date I have not been able to perform in such a role which demanded a big home work. I fell sad at times about that, but I think its too early for that. I love to do such a challenging role and is keeping myself prepared for that. Coming to assessment, I have an understanding that I have improved from one to the other. I always try to understand the exact thing expected by the director from me in each shot. I also make a good assessment about the character, so that I can maintain my mannerisms and expressions to suit the mood of the film.
Doing 'Shalabham' was a good learning process. As of now I have full satisfaction in my performance in Shalabham. I had the scope to make a lot of contribution. The film is set against a rural background and I played the character of Meera – a village girl, facing the agonies of life, but seen always with a pleasing character and soothing smile. The film was directed by Suresh Palanchery, scripted by Madambu Kunjikuttan and cinematography by M J Radhakrishnan.
Generally I concentrate much on my mannerisms, expressions, continuity and dialogue delivery. In Malayalam I have started to dub for my characters and now that too is one area where I am trying to keep on improving. I think improving acting would be a never ending process for an actor. An actor should always fall short of his satisfaction limit while making a self analysis.
*Could you tell us your role in ‘Chocolate ’?
Chococlate is a typical campus film. All the flavuors of a mainstream commercial cinema are belnded brilliantly in that film by Shafi Sir. I play a modern girl for the first time in that film. The character ‘Susan’ was widely accepted and I could hear crowd yelling ‘sussammo’ at times of my public appearance. Whenever I see the songs or sequences or stills of Choclate, I get filled with happiness and satisfaction on being part of such a big hit.
Susan was a bubbly and naughty girl, one among a three member gang of a women’s college. It was a bold character and modern in attire, thoughts and language. Chocolate gave an unusal feel. It was as if we were in our college. Shafi sir, Prithviraj, Azhgappan sir, Roma, Samvrutha all teamed up as in a campus
*How was your experience working with Jayaram and Pritviraj?
Even now i get excited when i think about ‘aanachandam’. Jayaram ettan is one person on screen whom i had adored right from my child hood. So acting with him, remain in the back of my mind as a divine dream. He helped me to study the basic aspects of acting like expressions, dialogue delivery etc. He was supportive through out the film, took pain to make me understand things and correct me and that always boosts ones morale.
By the time I joined Choclate, i had fairly good experience in cinema. And being in the company of Roma and Samvrutha, the entire session had a holiday feel. We all developed the same frequency – a thick relation which still remains. Earlier it was heard that Raju was one with a tough in nature, but he is really cool and supportive. Teaming up with him was also a learning process to me. I value him as one of the most genuine guy that I have met. He is a man who is traveling ahead of time.
*Which are the new projects at your hand?
I have completed the Tamil film 'Raman Thediya Seethai’ opposite Cheran and Produced by Moser Bear. Film is directed by Jagan nath. The film got completed in 4 schedules and took almost a year. It is now ready for july release. I lost the opportunity to do few Malayalam films due to this commitment. But i have the satisfaction of being able to do a film with Cheran Sir.
Discussion for the next tamil film are nearing conclusion and most probably it may begin by July mid. I am getting offers from Tamil, Telugu & Kannada, but i prefer to choose only those films suiting the parameters which I have fixed for my characters.
*If not an actress, what would you have become?
No doubt, I would have become a teacher. It was an ambition which i was nurturing since my childhood. I always wanted to be a biology teacher. I chose science form for my plus two studies with an intention to reach my ambition. But some how, i got into acting. Now cinema is my world, it is my passion, it is my profession and it is all to me. Hope i can remain and full fill my present aspirations
*Your Favorate food, color, dress?
Masala Dosa is my favorite and mostly prefers vegetarian food. At times I fall for chinese foods and dishes, but only occasionally. Usually I take homely foods. I love to cook my foods and try new combinations during leisure.
Sky blue, pink & black are my favorites and dressing depend upon the occasion. Usually I am inclined to casual wear. Sari, Salwar, jeans and top are favourites. I always make sure that I am comfortable in my dressing.
