Acting was never really on Samyuktha Menon’s scheme of things until she began receiving offers by chance. Although she made her début with Popcorn in 2006, it wasn’t until last year’s Lilli that she began earnestly considering a career in movies . Theevandi brought her into the limelight, and Samyuktha says she is happy with how her career has evolved.
With Edakkad Battalion 06 and Asif Ali-starrer Underworld lined up for release, the actor shares her excitement with Friday Review. Excerpts from the interview:
What is your character in Edakkad Battalion 06?
I play Naina Fathima, a teacher who is getting married to a soldier.
Usually, in stories on war or in action movies, female characters have less screen space...
Edakkad Battalion 06 is a family drama. The focus is more on the soldier’s life and not on on war. My character is not relegated into the background.
How important was Theevandifor your career?
It has changed my life totally. I would say that Theevandi created me as an actor.
Were you nervous playing the title role in Lilli?
To be honest, I wasn’t aware of the responsibility involved in donning a female-centric role. I was a newcomer then and felt that I had nothing to lose. My thoughts were only about giving my best.
Were you disappointed when Lillididn’t have a great run at the theatres?
Lilli released two weeks after Theevandi , which was already a success by then. I knew playing the lead character in Lilli was a risk as it had some scenes depicting violence. It was a new kind of narrative for Mollywood and we had hoped that the audience who watched world cinema and are attuned to such narratives would appreciate it. While the movie didn’t fare that well at the theatres, it was, however, well-received when it was came on Netflix.
Did you enjoy playing a grey-shaded character in Kalki?
I tend to pick characters that satiate me as an actor. If you don’t want to play a stereotypical heroine, you need to step out of the mould and take risks. I am happy I took them.
You did a cameo appearance in Uyare and a two-heroine project, Oru Yamandan Premakadha , this year.
I don’t want to vanish from people’s hearts. For every kind of movie, there is a particular type of audience, be it Oru Yamandan Premakadha, Uyare or Theevandi . I knew Uyare would be a huge hit and I wanted to be part of it. If I find a role good enough, I accept the offer.
Are there any roles in recent movies that made you feel “I should have done it”?
No. I believe in reality. I take things the way they are and accept them as such.
You were branded as “bold” for doing an intimate scene inTheevandi?
I found it amusing as I consider the role Kate Winslet played in The Reader, bold, while mine, was relatively tame.
Do you feel that the atmosphere in the industry has changed after the #MeToo movement?
I can’t really make a comparison as I entered the industry after the movement. So far, I have been treated well on the sets.
