TV’s special child: Sreelaya

The serial Bhagyadevatha brought bhagyam (luck) to Sreelaya, who played the title role — a girl who is gifted with the power of foresight. It was a unique character and television audiences loved the way her eyes ‘spoke’, as she predicted incidents. After Bhagyadevatha, Sreelaya is back on screen with another offbeat character, Kuttimani, an autistic girl in the serial Moonumani, which is telecast on Flowers Channel.    

“It is one of the most challenging roles I have done so far. The character’s name is Moonumani, but she doesn’t like to be called by that name. She insists that everyone call her Kuttimani. She is 24 years old, but has the intellect of a five-year-old. She is a foodie and is beauty-conscious,” says Sreelaya, adding that she was a little hesitant to accept the character at first. “I knew that it would be an interesting character, at the same time, I had a fear that I would look like a comic character on screen. It was only after receiving the initial response that my tension alleviated,” she says smiling.

According to Sreelaya, she has tried her level best to bring authenticity to the character. She is happy with the response she has  received for Kuttimani, and shares a few incidents.

“One day, as part of the serial’s promotion, we went to a special school for autistic kids. I went to each class and met the students. I was surprised to know that they all watch the serial regularly and love my performance. In one class, I asked the kids what they asked God everyday at prayer time. One girl said, she prays that the electricity shouldn’t go off at 7 pm, because she wants to see Kuttimani. I was moved by that answer. They are innocent children and they consider me one among them,” she says.

After Bhagyadevatha, Sreelaya had done a film Compartment, which portrayed the life of children with autism. “The girl who did the lead role in Compartment too is a great fan of ‘Moonumani’. The best part of this serial is that it gives a message to the audience,” says Sreelaya.