Rajini Chandy has just got herself a licence to ride a Bullet! “What if I am asked to play the role of cop in a film? Then the lack of a license to ride a bike should not be a deterrent,” says the feisty 66-year-old Rajini. She hit the limelight as the haughty grandmother with a heart of gold in Jude Anthany Joseph’s Oru Muthashi Gadha (2016).
After rewriting all the rules that are usually associated with reel grandmoms, Rajini reaches the small screen in a new serial,
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Speaking on the phone from Aluva, she explains how and why she decided to become Subhadra Varma for the serial that began this Monday.
What is the USP Of Subhadra Varma?
I am a positive person and I dislike negativity. So I kept refusing all the television offers that came my way. In this case, producer Listin Stephen called me up and wanted me to listen to the script. I did and I found that the serial is very different from the many that we are accustomed to watching on television. This has a positive outlook and is about a bold and enterprising grandmother and her grand-daughter.
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What is the storyline?
Well, Subhadra’s son was more of an artist and writer and he fritters away his business. That is when his mother steps in and turns it around. For 20 years she has been the captain of the ship and her only solace is her granddaughter who is being groomed to take over the business. But when she returns, their personalities and outlook don’t match all the time and there is friction. She is a disciplinarian and like many grandmas have plans for her granddaughter’s marriage while the girl has other ideas. Now watch the story (she laughs). You know, at times, I feel like giving Subhadra a tight slap for her obduracy! She can be so undemonstrative. Although she loves her grand-daughter, she is sacred of expressing that for fear of spoiling her.
So, was the transition from the big screen to television easy for her?
Jayaraj, the director of the serial, is a State award winner. He is extremely competent and so I had no problems whatsoever. The only time I get worked up is when shooting goes beyond 8 pm. I am in bed by 9.30 pm and rise with the sun at 4 am. Then I spend more than an hour at the gym. So when work gets delayed, my whole routine goes for a toss. But Jayaraj was considerate and it was smooth going.
Is she a fan of television...
(Laughs heartily) I enjoy sports of all kinds and cricket in particular. I watch Hindi films and rom-coms. Although I have a rough and tough image, I don’t like to watch violence and sorrow. I am a sentimental person and my favourites are family oriented movies. In fact, I find myself watching films I have seen before. I look bold and I have a confident posture. Many assume that I am a tough person and I have heard that people are even nervous of approaching me.
Next up is...
Waiting for the next role. I am busy making the most of life. I am learning drums and takes each day as it comes. Age is just a number and I hope people realise that even senior citizens like to enjoy themselves.
Avaril Oraal is on weekdays at 8 pm on Surya