Stepping Out From The Shadows

Her journey as an artiste began at the tender age of five with none other than superstar Mohanlal. The movie, ‘Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare’ won her the Kerala State film award and continues to be one of those rare films that have been etched in Mollywood history for its memorable and touching performance. The little girl instantly stole the hearts of the Malayali audience and as she grew up, there was no stopping her from facing the camera again! But this time, she felt things seemed very different, as though her voice wasn’t being heard. She had entered a period in cinema when machismo reigned and women were portrayed in bad light. She once again won the Kerala state film award for ‘Akale’ and after ‘Nallu Pennungal’ with Adoor Gopalakrishnan, she decided to call it quits only to step behind the camera to make interesting cinema! She was determined to put the industry on the world map! RITZ catches up with the international award winning director, Geetu Mohandas, who is busy shooting at Lakshadweep for the much-awaited Mollywood flick ‘Moothon’ starring Nivin Pauly.

- Riya Sonny Datson

She started her film debut as a child artiste and later as a heroine with Mohanlal, so would she be directing him next? “When I won the Sundance International award for Liar’s Dice, my film fraternity decided to honour me and it was Lalettan who bestowed the ‘Ponnanda’ on me. He looked into my eyes then and told me, “Am so proud of you!” It felt so good because he has seen me grow up in the industry. About directing him? I am not sure about that…There are more chances that I would be directing my favourite Mammooka!” she laughs.

HER ROLE AS AN ACTOR

“I don’t remember doing any exceptional films during my acting stint. The numbers were very few and very rarely would you feel excited working with directors like Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shyamaprasad or T K Rajeev Kumar. It was a time when senseless or mindless comedy films were being made, where the heroes would say punch dialogues against women or slap a woman and the audience would clap for him. Somewhere down the line, I felt hurt as though my voice wasn’t important…I felt stifled because I had lived all my life abroad and things seemed different here. I couldn’t be apologetic because I was well read or because I was different. I was not the quintessential girl with the Kullipinnal and Chandanakuri, who didn’t have any dreams. I was trying to fit into that mould but I realised it didn’t come naturally. My dad reminded me that I had a different strength and I would know that one day! There were moments in my career where people, especially my senior actors and actresses supported me and told me that I should do something different. One such person is Mammooka - he appreciated my confidence, loved my energy and blessed my energy. It is during such moments that you derive the confidence to chase your dreams,” she recalls.