Poornima Bhagyaraj is back to Mollywood after a 31-year hiatus through V.K. Prakash’s Rockstar
Poornima Bhagyaraj
Mention the name Poornima Bhagyaraj and a Mollywood cinegoer would instantly recall the beautiful heroine in Manjil Virinja Pookkal. It has been a long sabbatical of 31 years, but the pretty actress has once again donned the grease paint for the Malayalam film Rockstar directed by V.K. Prakash.
It would be easy to deduce that Poornima would have spent her time away from the arc lights being the perfect homemaker but she surprises, “I have been in the business of designing bridal wear for the past 15 years and do customised work which takes up a lot of my time.” Poornima had paired with Mohanlal last year for the film Jilla in which she played Vijay’s mother. Rockstar will see her as Eva Pavithran’s mother.
Explaining her comeback, she says, “Actually it was not a sabbatical; I was not planning on coming back! But when VKP called me, I understood it is more than a mother role. My character has a very strong personality which was the major attraction. I have watched and liked VKP’s films which also made me decide to take up the role.”
Poornima very candidly confesses, “There was a lot of energy on the sets because of the youngsters and I almost felt their energy seeping into me. I saw that each actor was so confident and comfortable in their roles unlike my initial days when I used to feel very nervous about everything. In fact, I was still more nervous than everyone else! I was returning after a very long break and the youngsters were trying to pep me up saying you are doing well.”
Incidentally, Poornima has a signature look in the film; she sports a big bindi, traditional sarees and a long chain — a look designed by VKP. She frankly states, “In almost all my films, I had to decide on my looks and costumes; for a change someone else took the responsibility! In fact, that is the main difference — today, cinema is more professional. In those days, I did not have a stylist or a costume designer and I had only heard about such people in Bollywood. So obviously it was a pleasure to have someone deciding the dress, hairstyle and accessories in Rockstar.”
Poornima’s son Shanthanu too has taken the plunge into films and the proud mother says, “The apprehension was there because luck plays a very big role in films. Talent comes secondary because there are a lot of talented actors who are not able to make the cut; you need to have the right opportunity at the right time and be at the right place. In Shanthanu’s case too these things are still happening, he is waiting for the right moment. I personally feel that compared to a lot of actors, he is quite talented. I am not saying that because he is my son. His performances, approach to filmmaking and dedication is huge and he has probably learnt that from his father who I would term a filmoholic!”
Talking about husband Bhagyaraj brings colour into her cheeks and she fondly reveals, “When it comes to films, my husband does not remember his family, his looks or his food. We tell my husband that he is not fit to be an actor because he does not take care of himself or his looks. Once he dons the director’s cap in a film that he also acts in, he will be running around in the sun, shouting out instructions with his make-up on. It is only later when he sees himself that he asks why nobody mentioned that the makeup was falling apart!”
Coming back to her son, Poornima says, “As of now, Shanthanu is an actor and maybe he will take up something later on but he wants to make a mark as an actor first.”
Friends are as important as family and Poornima states that the revival of the class of 80s actors has been one of the best things to have happened. She candidly says, “In earlier days, there was competition but now we are beyond the competing stage and we are all great friends.”
Poornima is open to working in films quipping, “If some of my old directors want me back! I don’t want to do each film and be busy 24/7 and I cannot do that. I want to relax and look after my family and want to spend time with my friends.”
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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