This story is from September 26, 2014

It is Sreenivasan who brought me back to Mollywood: Sangeetha

It is Sreenivasan who brought me back to Mollywood: Sangeetha
The 1998 Malayalam film, Chinthavishtta-yaaya Shyamala, presented many evergreen moments to movie buffs. From the line, Ayyo acha pokalle, to online jokes about Sreenivasan’s idea — camerayum koode chaadatte — the film is considered a classic by Malayalis. Actress Sangeetha, who bagged a State Award for the film through the convincing portrayal of its lead character Shyamala, is back in Mollywood after a gap of 12 years.
She speaks to us about her comeback film, Nagaravaaridhi Naduvil Njan; working with Sreenivasan again; and more.
Excerpts:
What made you return to Mollywood after a long break? I was busy with my family and chores in Chennai when the film’s director Shibu Balan called me with the film offer, which I politely declined. It is Sreeni sir’s call that brought me back here. He rang me up and asked “Sangeetha, do you know Mahatma Gandhi?” To which I replied, “Yes sir, I do.” He wasn’t done and said, “He is a great man who had to forgo the pleasures of life for the country. I am not asking you to sacrifice at that level for me, but can you keep aside a bit of your time for me and this film?” I laughed, asked him for some time to think again, post which I assured to call back . It is my husband Saravanan, a great fan of Sreeni sir, who encouraged and convinced me to take up the film.
Tell us about the film and why Sreenivasan chose you? Nagaravaaridhi Naduvil Njan is a movie with a social message. It deals with waste management issues in Kerala. I play a homemaker and I am cast opposite Sreeni sir; apart from that there are no other similarities with my role in Chinthavishttayaaya Shyamala. I know he would have given a lot of thought before casting me in this film. But I never asked Sreeni sir why he chose me.
Has the industry changed in the last 12 years? The last film I did in Malayalam is Kanal Kireedam in 2002. Till date, Sreeni sir has not changed at all. However, I can see many changes in the industry; more women are now working behind the camera. I can also check out my performance post the shot on the monitor, which was not possible in the past. However, my profession remains the same and the kind of quality acting the industry expects has not changed. Though my entry was unplanned, I am enjoying on the set.

Did you miss being in the limelight when you were away? No! I feel even after calling it a day, actors generally picturise themselves as various characters upon watching films, which did not happen with me. I could not imagine being away from my 12-year-old daughter even for half an hour! This might be the reason.
Do you remember any memorable moments on the set of Chinthavishttayaaya Shyamala? Oh yes! I remember that I loved being with the girls who played my kids in the film. Similarly, the time I spent with Thilakan sir and Nedumudi Venu sir was priceless. The visits to the set, temples… everything is etched in my mind.
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