Reenu Mathews made her debut with the Lal Jose-directed Immanuel opposite Mammootty. Her filmography, though not very extensive, boasts interesting films such as 5 Sundarikal , Praise The Lord , Saptamahashree Thaskaraha , Iyobinte Pusthakam , Ennum Eppozhum and now Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi (LL7K) . Most of her films saw her being typecast as the wife, in her latest film, as Madhumita, she breaks the stereotype. She is now determined to do roles that are different. Her film career aside, she is also cabin crew with Emirates. A job she loves and has no intentions of quitting. As MetroPlus catches up with her, across continents and time zones, she talks about refusing to be stereotyped, her twin careers and more. Edited excerpts from an interview.
AfterImmanuelyou have done quite a few roles and with prominent directors, then why not make acting your full time profession?
I have been lucky to work with some of the best directors and actors in the industry; I consider myself blessed. But I don’t want to do all the movies that come my way, I want to do roles that are different. I don’t want to limit myself to wife roles, I want to do characters that are different and would stay in the minds of the audience.
You are still working with Emirates despite a career in films?
I love my job and I love acting too. Before I joined Emirates I had modelled and done short films. There were movie offers also but I always wanted a job. Which is why I started working, and as far as I can I want to balance both. I want to continue with my job.
This ‘work-work’ balance between the two professions
It’s not an easy thing, it is very difficult. The schedule for LL7K was a long one. The entire team coordinated dates to make sure that I could do the film. When I got Ennum Eppozhum I told Sathyan Anthikkad sir I didn’t have enough leave; he told me I could work on my off days. The directors I worked with helped me be a part of their projects. It is really nice of them which is why I have been able to manage. My company too has been very supportive. A lot of people appreciate the fact that I am managing both professions.
On working with Anil Radhakrishnan Menon again
Working with Anil ettan again was a nice experience. During Saptamahashree Thaskaraha I didn’t know him well. I worked for a week on that film. I got to know him better after the release. He is a very relaxed director; he gives actors the freedom to interpret the role. If they want to improvise he gives them that freedom. It was much more comfortable working with him the second time because I knew him better.
The experience ofLL7Kwith all that shooting in the jungles
It was an awesome experience. I enjoyed it. It was the first time that I was doing such a long schedule, of around 45-50 days. Since the cast was young there was lot of fun and laughter on the sets. It was more like a paid adventure trip or a paid holiday. We thoroughly enjoyed the making of the film. Nedumudi Venu uncle is such a prankster and there would be pranks and antakshari. The shoot was during the rains and there were plenty of hardships like coping with snakes and leeches. The production crew has to be appreciated for the hard work they put in. There was a lot of team work, every department worked very hard to bring this movie up.
Is it a conscious decision doing only a few films a year?
It is not a conscious effort. I have to manage with the leave I have. Certain projects come a week before the shoot and there is nothing I can do at such short notice. I knew about LL7K in advance so I didn’t take up new projects this year. I had to say no to a few projects but I am happy with my decision because I feel LL7K will be a very different film for me. I don’t think I’ll get to play a character like Madhumita again. She is such a strong, bold character. I am in love with Madhumita. I have no regrets that I kept all my leave for LL7K . She is very different from the characters I have played. Madhumita has different shades.
Other projects
I have listened to a couple of stories. There is one project I am interested in. I’ll talk about it when I commit to it.
Do people recognise you on flights?
When I am working it doesn’t affect me because I don’t do many flights to Kerala. As crew it doesn’t happen, but of course when I travel, as passenger, people do recognise me and talk to me. Interestingly some of my films are part of the entertainment channel on flight. When I get time I show the films to my crew, it comes as a surprise to them.
