In new avatar

No one would have associated the name Kottayam Nazeer with painting unless, of course, someone drawing his portrait. You are in for a surprise then – yes, he is a painter.

A mimicry maestro and actor, Nazeer is showing the world that he is a multi-faceted person. For the last few years he has been engaged in painting, working so prolifically that people might mistake his place for an art gallery. The actor is showcasing his works at a solo exhibition - “Dreams of Colours” - at Durbar Hall Art Centre. The expo started on Tuesday.

One creative medium usually paves way to another, which is why many talented actors, musicians and other artists spill their extra energy onto a canvas. But for Kottayam Nazeer, painting was everything before he shifted his focus to mimicry and later, movies. “I had actually indulged in painting since a very young age. I used to draw for others and earn money. I contributed to my family’s income through painting. But when I started to do mimicry, opportunities came knocking in the form of stage shows,” he says.

Varsha played a woman journalist in the film and also rendered the song Alakkuvanakumo. She throws light on how she played the dual role. “I was offered a role by Nishad but I was apprehensive. I have been an anchor so the camera was not something I was nervous about. Acting though is a different ball game - one that requires behaving in front of the camera, something that I was a greenhorn at. If it was a singing offer, I would have jumped at it,” she says.

 It was her mother who encouraged her to try out acting. “My mother advised me that if I took up acting then I had to make sure that I did it well!” There was another reason for her apprehension. “I was offered the role during the time when a prominent actress was abducted and assaulted. There was a lot of pressure from my family and friends who were concerned about me. But my mother stood behind me like a rock which gave me confidence,” she recalls. 

Her first day of shoot had Varsha pitted against the veteran Indrans who gave her suggestions and helped her. On Varsha’s request, Nishad introduced her to music composer M. Jayachandran and Kallara Gopan and eventually got to sing also.

 Meanwhile, modelling, appearances on Kappa TV, dubbing and singing have kept her busy. She talks about a lost chance. “I was offered the chance to play Mukesh’s wife in the film Kalyanam but could not accept it because of my PhD.”

 On future plans, she says: “I am working on 2-3 cover projects as well as an original music composition.”