SHE GREW UP AMIDST ARDENT ARTISTS, HER MOM BEING A PROFESSIONAL SINGER AND HER DAD BEING A RENOWNED MUSIC DIRECTOR. SO IT COMES AS NO SURPRISE THAT DANCE AND MUSIC WERE AN INDISPENSABLE PART OF HER LIFE; WHICH IS ALSO WHY EXPRESSING ART COMES NATURALLY AND EFFORTLESSLY TO THIS YOUNG STARLET. AS A CHILD ARTIST, HER RENDEZVOUS WITH THE CINEMA STARTED WHEN SHE WAS JUST 13 AND SOON, QUITE UNEXPECTEDLY, SHE GOT A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH FAHADH FAASIL IN ‘MAHESHINTE PRATHIKARAM’. THE MOVIE WENT ON TO BECOME A SUPER HIT AND HER CHARACTER, ‘JIMSY’ BECAME SO POPULAR THAT TO THIS DAY, PEOPLE RECOGNISE HER BY THAT NAME. SHE WON ACCOLADES NOT JUST FOR HER DEBUT PERFORMANCE BUT ALSO FOR HER MELODIOUS PLAYBACK SINGING IN THE MOVIE. RITZ CATCHES UP WITH THE YOUNG, CHIRPY AND VERY TALENTED, APARNA BALAMURALI, WHO IS BUSY JUGGLING PROJECTS IN MALAYALAM AND TAMIL.
‘Minnal Jimsy’ definitely didn’t seem like your first outing as a heroine - you seemed so confident. How close is that character to you in real life?
As a child, I did so many performances on stage that I lost most of my stage fear. So though it was my first project, I didn’t have any inhibitions or tensions while facing the camera, it felt like another performance. The director, Dilesh Pothen was very clear that he wanted my acting to be spontaneous, so even the dialogues were given to me just before each scene. I think that added to the natural feel. As far as the character Jimsy is concerned, I don’t think I am as bold as her in real life. In fact, whenever I meet someone for the first time, I am very conscious. I guess you could call it a ‘starting trouble’! (she grins). But once I am comfortable and settled, I am very conversational and open about my opinions.
Has the character pushed you into a stereotype? You seem to be doing a lot of strong female characters…
I must admit that ‘Jimsy’ paved the way for a bold element in most of my roles. But all the characters I portrayed were very different from each other. Be it a journalist, an auto driver or a working professional - I could relate to each of these characters; so while there has been variety, it’s been comfortable too. Only for my role as an auto driver, I had to do some homework, as it was a character that was totally different from what I had seen or experienced. But yes, moving away from ‘bold’, I just completed a project in Tamil where I am playing a simple village belle. So you will be seeing me in a different avatar soon.
What has been the most memorable compliment you have received so far?
Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av RITZ.
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Denne historien er fra December 2017-utgaven av RITZ.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
WOMAN OF METTLE
Full-time actress and a full-time mother, one wonders how she does it all and with so much passion; yet, one conversation with Uma Riyaz Khan is all it takes to know one can have it all! She is one of the few actors who love acting and takes cinema passionately and has shared screen space with some of the leading stars of Kollywood. For her acting is a craft and she proves her mettle every single time she’s on-screen and has been constantly juggling between many mediums of entertainment. The versatile actor speaks to RITZ about her career choices, her family life, and her experiences on and off-screen as a mother and much more.
THE POWER OF GRIT
Jewellery designer, socialite, philanthropist and now the President of Terroir - The Madras Wine Club, Minnie Menon has added one more feather to her colourful hat. Minnie, who is now on mission Terroir, speaks to RITZ about her passion, love for jewellery, her recent responsibility and what it took to get in there.
THE ART OF MAKING TEA
Kausshal Dugarr - Founder and CEO of Teabox shares how he took his Indian tea brand to 117 countries.
SPREADING MASSIVE WINGS
Zorawar Kalra, founder of Massive Restaurants speaks on how he likes to innovate and stay ahead of the game.
READY TO FACE THE ARC LIGHTS!
As a child, she was always under the limelight for her amazing performances at the Kerala Youth Festival. It came as no surprise that her very first film offer came from Sibi Malayil for Ishtam opposite Dileep. Though her parents were reluctant initially, with a little coaxing from her uncle, Director K Madhu, they agreed to let her chase her dreams and ever since, there has been no looking back for this beautiful actress. Her memorable performances during the early stages of her career in films like Nandanam, Kalyanaraman and Kunjikoonan made her one of the most sought after actresses in Mollywood. With close to 50 films to her credit in Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada, she is the recipient of two Kerala state film awards. Ritz is in conversation with the South Indian Star, Navya Nair, who after a hiatus of eight years, is making a comeback to Mollywood with her much awaited film, Oruthee!
MELODY! QUEEN
‘Raftaara’ the song from the blockbuster Mollywood film, Lucifer went viral the minute it was released online. It came as a surprise to many that it was Malayalam Cinema’s very own Jyotsna, who had sung this fast Hindi number! The gorgeous playback singer herself didn’t expect to receive such an overwhelming response and she is thrilled that the song has topped the charts. Of late, Jyotsna has been busy with her independent projects such as ‘Krishna the eternal’ - which is an offbeat meditation album, her single ‘Enni Varumo’ which won the Mazhavil manorana music award for best independent song of the year and of course ‘Paranne’, an original, written, composed and sung by the melody queen herself! Ritz catches up with the brilliant musician, Jyotsna Radhakrishnan, who recently won the ‘Kochi Marriott Presents Ritz Super 8’ felicitation for her exceptional and inspirational work in Music.
FUN, FOOD, FRENZY, FESTIVITIES, FIREWORKS & FINESSE
Thailand’s Elephant Boat Race and River Festival saw a spectacular adrenalinefilled weekend of paddlers, singers, music, food and tipple lovers, and some celeb spotting too.
FROM RAGS TO SHAYYA!
Pure Living is back with yet another incredible initiative. On women’s day this year, the firm that focusses on eco-friendly products and eco awareness, launched a special product titled ‘Shayya’, a handcrafted mattress that is being distributed free of cost to the poor and homeless. What makes it special is the fact that it is upcycled from cloth waste. Yes, the cloth scrap generated at fashion design or tailoring units that is usually burnt every single day is what is being used to make the Shayya. The result? Less pollution and a warm coz y surface for the poor and homeless! Read on to know more about this wonderful initiative by Lakshmi Menon.
DREAMS MAKETH A WOMAN
She’s a sensation in the wrestling ring. Sakshi Malik made India proud by bagging a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She was the first woman wrestler from the country to secure a podium finish. No highs or lows, or ups and downs stopped her from reaching her goals. Just one step short of the Summer Olympics 2020 in Tokyo, Sakshi seems to be fitter and stronger than ever before, thanks to the confidence, she’s gained from her last victory. Endorsing the partnership of Herbalife Nutrition with the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) as it’s sports nutrition partner, the young IIS wrestler spoke to us about her journey after Rio Olympics and her dreams for Tokyo Olympics.
Creating ENTERTAINING SOCIAL SPACES
Riyaaz Amlani, CEO & MD, Impresario Handmade Restaurants shares his journey on providing unlimited entertainment options.
