M eet ‘Salpperu’ Susheela, the new scandalmonger in town. Sneha Sreekumar, who plays the naïve and affable Mandodari in ‘Marimayam’ on Mazhavil Manorama, now plays a gossip girl in the new show, ‘Loud Speaker’, on Kairali TV. She has the latest gossips and controversies from the world of entertainment. Not many know that Sneha, who has acted in a few movies, is a trained Kathakali and Ottanthullal artiste and a Mohiniyattam dancer as well. A post graduate in Performing Arts from Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS), Kalady, she played Mohanlal's leading lady in ‘Chayamukhi’. Excerpts from an interview with Sneha:
As Susheela
It is often said that Malayalis have this unusual interest in other people’s affairs. Many people like to read/hear juicy gossip, though they may not admit it. Susheela opens her box of controversies containing hot news from the entertainment industry in her trademark style. She is witty, but over-the-top.
Mandodari vs Susheela
Except for the comic element, they are very different from each other. Mandodari or ‘Mandu’ as she is fondly called, is a simpleton who tickles the funny bone with her innocence. Susheela evokes humour with her mannerisms and body language. I was quite apprehensive about going overboard, but Santhosh Pali, who has conceptualised the show, felt that the character needed such a treatment.
On her journey
I have been learning dance from my childhood. My mother, Girija Devi, was interested in learning Kathakali. But there was a time when girls weren’t encouraged to learn it. So my mother ensured that both her daughters learnt Kathakali.
I learnt Ottanthullal and Mohiniyattam also and have won prizes in school and college youth festivals. Now I am learning Kathakali from Kalamandalam E. Vasudevan, Ottanthullal from Kalamandalam Prabhakaran and Mohiniyattam from Nirmala Panicker.
But acting was never in my scheme of things. Nirmala teacher suggested that I should join SSUS as that would help me as a dancer. But it was after joining there that I realised that I had to act and direct plays as well (laughs). Soon I got interested in theatre.
It was while doing the course that I acted in ‘Chayamukhi’ as Hidumbi. When many actresses are still waiting for a chance to act with Mohanlal, I was able to work with him! It was difficult to match up to such an actor with an amazing energy level. I was astonished by his ability to remember certain choreographed scenes when the team would come together to stage the play after long gaps. I got the offer for ‘Marimayam’, when my name was suggested by actor-director Sidhartha Shiva who was part of the show. As for films, my first movie was Vallatha Pahayan , which had the ‘Marimayam’ team. As for movies, I’ve acted in Zachariyayude Garbhinikal and To Noora With Love .
Being a multi-tasker
I enjoy being a dancer and an actor. Now that I am married [to Diljith M. Das, an art director], I have to give time for my family also. I’ve completed my M.Phil. and hope to do my doctorate in performing arts.
Handling comedy
Comedy is a risky genre as it is not easy to make people laugh. But I don’t want to be branded a comedy artiste. I want to do all kinds of roles.
‘Loud Speaker’ airs on Fridays on Kairali TV at 9.30 p.m.
