Make way for Mollywood’s new heroine: Rimi Tomy

Singer Rimi Tomy who got elevated to the status of a heroine with the movie Thinkal Muthal Velli Vare is quite excited as her movie hit theatres a few days ago. She is yet to watch the movie as she is busy with her sister’s marriage. But, she is pretty happy about the responses she has been receiving from both known and unknown people. One cannot predict how the movie will perform at the box office. But it is safe to say that people have accepted Rimi as an actress.

“Many who watched the movie said that they never felt I was new to acting. That was the best compliment,” she says. Rimi had been receiving acting offers from directors after she sang her first song Chingamasam Vannu Chernnal… for the movie Meesamadhavan, which turned out to be a hit. Though the bubbly, chatty girl loved acting, she refused offers and concentrated more on singing to establish herself as a singer. However, as if destined, the opportunity to act knocked on her door again and eventually she turned a character actor in the movie 5 Sundarikal.

Now, from a sidekick, she has grown to the status of a heroine and she says that the developments have surprised her as well. “I had actually received offers to act in 5 Sundarikal and 1983. The role in 1983 required more days of shoot than 5 Sundarikal. So, I chose the latter. Acting was not my prime focus then. I just wanted to know how it feels to be an actor. But, quite unexpectedly Thinkal Muthal Velli Vare came later. They said the character shared some similarities with me and hence I did not really have to act, but just be myself for the role. So, I thought of giving it a try,” reminiscences Rimi.

In this comedy movie, Rimi plays Jayaram’s wife Pushpavalli who is addicted to watching serials. Does she watch serials? “Yes, I do watch serials. But, I am not an addict like Pushpavalli. If I have time, I will watch. That’s all. Only my mannerisms match with what was scripted for Pushpavalli,” says Rimi, who was a little nervous to take on a full-fledged role on screen. “The shooting was in Thiruvananthapuram. I was very afraid to act during the initial days of shooting. It took me a few days to relax while acting. Everybody on the set, including the director and Jayaramettan were very supportive. As a senior artist, he was very helpful during the shoot. He used to correct me whenever it was required. This helped bring out the best from me,” she adds.

There have been certain cherished moments for Rimi during the shoot of Thinkal Muthal Velli Vare. One such scene was where all the characters of prime time serials in Malayalam gathered together. Rimi says, “That was actually our wedding shot. I was happy that I could meet them all under one roof. At the same time, I was a little shy about meeting them in my bride’s costume,” she chuckles.  

Ask her whether she would continue acting, she replies, “I am not much concerned about the future. I just want to go on like this. But, I like acting and when people say that they like watching me on screen, I feel happy. So, in the future, if I get good roles, I will act.”

After Thinkal Muthal Velli Vare was released, there have been rumours that Rimi has got an offer to act with Shah Rukh Khan in his next film. And many tend to believe that to be true, as Rimi has a good rapport with him. However, when asked, Rimi replies with a laugh, “As of now, there is no such role. But, if I get one, I will definitely do it.”