It is not uncommon for actors from other industries trying their luck in Mollywood. But here’s a girl who comes all the way from Assam. Urmila Mahanta, an FTII product, will be debuting in Udal directed by Pradeep Nair. She will play a sweeper from a colony and is hoping to sweep the audiences off their feet.
Though an Assamese actress, Urmila has acted in Tamil, Bengali and Hindi films as also in some popular Hindi serials and ads for some leading brands.
It was Urmila’s performance in the hit Tamil film Vazhakku Enn 18/9 that had the Malayalam fillmmakers contact her, finding her apt for the role.
The synopsis was sent to her and she did not think twice before nodding her assent for the film. The acting bug had bit Urmila very young and she informs, “I started doing theatre when I was in the sixth grade and later on when I joined the FTII, I decided to become a professional actor. It was the institute that opened up new vistas and possibilities in acting before my eyes. Before I joined the institute, I never believed that acting could be taught but my stint there taught me that as an actor, I should also be aware of the technical aspects of filmmaking. I gained knowledge about the basics of direction, editing, art direction, camera, etc, which is important for an actor. The institute stint was the turning point in my life and I was one of the toppers.”
It was in Tamil that Urmila started her film innings and she very candidly speaks about the language barrier, “Yes, I faced a lot of difficulties because I have never ever visited South India before signing on for the Tamil film and I could not understand Tamil. I was doing the lead role and when I shot for the movie, I could not understand the dialogues. I used to mug my lines and the director informed me about the scene but it was a big challenge as you also have to be aware of what your co-actor is supposed to say. But the Tamil film gave me the confidence that I could act in any language.” Urmila has watched Malayalam films and lets on that she was a part of a Malayalam film that is yet to be released.
