Dancing beauty

For Malavika Krishnadas, the TV show Nayika Nayakan turned out to be a very good platform to improve her acting skills. “It is not your regular reality show. There were theory classes and grooming sessions to teach us all that we should be aware of before entering into the field of acting,” says Malavika, one of the finalists. The show, which was judged by director Lal Jose, featured 16 contestants, and the winners would be cast in his upcoming movie. Malavika was the second runner-up of the show. She also bagged the title ‘Best Dancer’.

“Dance is always my first preference,” says Malavika. The talented dancer started learning classical dance, mainly Bharatanatyam, at the age of three. She is also trained in Kuchipudi. She won the first prize at state level in Bharatanatyam while she was in class X .

“My father was the one who motivated me a lot and it was his dream to see me as a famous dancer and actor. Thus I participated in reality shows,” says Malavika. After her father’s demise while she was studying in class VII, she was supported by her mother and family. She started working hard to fulfil her father’s dream.

After 12th grade, she went to Chennai, to explore the forms and styles of dance at Kalakshethra. There, under the tutelage of Padma Bhushan awardees Dhananjayan and Shanta Dhananjayan, she has completed one year training in Bharatanatyam.

A native of Pattambi, Malavika is a multi-talented girl. “I am a restless person and love to do everything. I want to continue my studies along with dance and acting. I don’t want to give up one for the other,” says the girl, who is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Business from S.H College, Thevara. “I missed a lot of classes during the shoot of Nayika Nayakan and my friends and teachers supported me a lot,” says Malavika.

 Malavika is cast in the upcoming film by director Lal Jose. “Lal Jose sir is like my guide and mentor and I am really honoured since I got an opportunity to work with such a big crew,” adds Malavika. She considers each chance as a blessing and looks forward to be part of good movies. “My greatest wish is to be an actor like Shobana. I want to do many stage performances as she does,” says the budding actress.