“I could not think of any one else other than Meera. If she has not said yes, I would not have made the film,” asserts film director Rajiv Anchal. Singing paeans to Meera, Rajiv says: “It is her film and Meera has lived Veena for the camera.”
Veena, the daughter of an impoverished man, dreams of becoming a playback singer and is totally dedicated to her aim. The film narrates her journey in life as she falls in love, becomes a wife and mother. However, she learns that nothing in life is free of its own share of ups and downs. Then the story is all about this woman who, with the help of her friends and loved ones, negotiates to find her own space.
Memorable characters
“Our generation of actors came into cinema at a time when it was difficult to find scripts with strong female characters. So I consider myself blessed to have got the kind of roles and directors who have given me a lot of space and characters, who, I hope, will stand the test of time,” says Meera.
Think Kamala (‘Swapnakkodu'), Shahina (‘Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam'), Raziya (‘Perumazhakalam'), Aswathy (‘Achuvinte Amma'), Kanmani (‘Rasathantram'), Anupama (‘Vinodayatra'), Deepthi (‘Ore Kadal'), Meera (‘Rathrimazha'), Krishnapriya (‘Calcutta News')… And you look at the petite actor with new eyes. She feels that Veena, her character in ‘Paattinte Palazhi,' is an addition to that list of memorable characters she has essayed on the screen.
“It is the role that matters to me. So I waited patiently for a substantial and meaningful role. It is extremely difficult for a female actor to wait for such a role to come her way, especially in these days when many films reduce the heroines to a song or a dance or as a mere decoration for a scene or two. One has to remember that the span of an actress is much shorter than that of an actor,” explains the actor with the speaking eyes and the ready smile.
She remembers that Rajiv Anchal met her in 2008 to talk about the film and as soon as the script was ready he approached her again. Meera says as soon as she heard about the story of Veena, she could empathise with her character.
Enacting Veena
“I am like her in some ways; I work wholeheartedly to reach my goal and, like Veena, I can single-mindedly pursue that. Moreover, it is a challenge to don such a role as it shows Veena in four stages of life – as a youngster, as a wife, mother and then as a woman who comes to terms with herself and her ambitions,” says Meera who sports a new look for the film.
Praising her costume designer Deepa Chander, Meera says that both of them worked on the costumes as her character had to age in the film. Moreover, it is not every day that a director in Mollywood goes into the finer nuances of costumes and colours. “Even the hair style was decided by her,” says Meera, dimpling and patting her lightly permed hair into place.
“It is an intense role and I have to thank the veteran stars acting with me for helping me fine tune the nuances of the character.”
Looks like Meera's wait has paid her rich dividends.
“I could not think of any one else other than Meera. If she has not said yes, I would not have made the film,” asserts film director Rajiv Anchal. Singing paeans to Meera, Rajiv says: “It is her film and Meera has lived Veena for the camera.”
Veena, the daughter of an impoverished man, dreams of becoming a playback singer and is totally dedicated to her aim. The film narrates her journey in life as she falls in love, becomes a wife and mother. However, she learns that nothing in life is free of its own share of ups and downs. Then the story is all about this woman who, with the help of her friends and loved ones, negotiates to find her own space.
