L ove her or hate her, but you cannot ignore her. The livewire singer and television anchor that she is, Rimi Tomy is definitely a complete entertainer. Dance, music, comedy and melodrama… there is everything in a Rimi Tomy show, be it on stage or on television. Her banter and lively conversation on television shows have won her many followers as well as critics. In a chat with FridayReview , Rimi talks about her new show ‘Onnum Onnum Moonnu’ on Mazhavil Manorama, her mantra for entertainment and her career. Excerpts…
On ‘Onnum Onnum Moonnu’
It is a chat-cum-game show with loads of fun. We catch up with celebrity guests and make them play interesting games.
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More than their career, they talk about their lives and other interesting tidbits.
There is nothing serious on the show. It is a joyful ride ride with a live orchestra, a lie-detector robot and many other interesting aspects.
We’ve aired an episode featuring Unni Mukundan and Aparna Nair. Nivin Pauly and Aju Varghese, Manju Pillai and KPAC Lalitha are the others who will appear on the show in the coming weeks. It is different from other talk shows; it has a grand set. There are many chat shows on television, including ‘Rhythm’, my chat show on Kairali TV, which features celebrities. ‘Onnum…’, however, has a segment that has a platform for talented people.
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Stint as an anchor
I made my debut as an anchor on Doordarshan after ‘Chingamaasam…’ (from Meesa Madhavan ) became a hit. It was an interview with singer K.P. Udayabhanu. When I see that now, I laugh my heart out. I appeared so solemn and serious, which is not the real me. The chatterbox in me came out in ‘Dum Dum Dum Pi Pi Pi’, which I hosted with Nadhirshah on Kairali. Then came ‘Safari’ on Asianet News, ‘Rim Jhim’ on Asianet Plus, ‘Music Live’ on Asianet and then ‘Rhythm’.
The biggest challenge was anchoring the second season of ‘Veruthe Alla Bharya’ on Mazhavil Manorama since it was the first non-musical show for me. I had no idea how to do it. Also, the previous anchor of the show (Shwetha Menon) had set a standard and I was worried if I’d spoil it. But things went off really well.
My philosophy, be it on stage or on television, always has been that if you enjoy what you do, those watching you will enjoy it too. I never go by the script in any of my shows. I am totally at a loss if a script is given to me! For example, in Amal Neerad’s anthology of five films Anju Sundarikal, in which I was given a guest role [she has acted in Aashiq Abu’s short], I was given a few lines for my role. However much I tried, I couldn’t say the dialogues in the way it was written. Finally, the crew let me say it in my own style!
You’ve had a make-over?
Yes. I have lost weight, changed my hairstyle and started wearing saris. But if you think that is meant to look mature, I don’t think much has happened on that front!
Singing career
My duet with Shankar Mahadevan in Sound Thoma – ‘Kanni penne…’ is a hit. All our duets have been hits – ‘Chingamaasam…’ (Meesa Madhavan) , ‘Entadukke…’ (Marykkundoru Kunjadu) and ‘Karthave…’ ( Christian Brothers) , which I consider to be a blessing.
Meanwhile my long wait to sing a melody in Malayalam continues.
Being Rimi Tomy
It isn’t easy. The audience always want to see me smiling and cracking jokes.
I’m always expected to entertain people, which is quite taxing! I’ve been living with this dilemma for years now.
(‘Onnum Onnum Moonnu’ is aired on Sundays on Mazhavil Manorama at 9.30 p.m.)