Enjoying the high

We remember her as the possessive wife Merlin of Chettayees, who tries out every freaking idea to break her husband Kichu’s friendship with his best buddies. We have also seen her portray the character of a headstrong doctor, Sherin George, in Anarkali. From lead roles to supporting roles, Miya George has proved her mettle in every film. Her popularity is a testimony to the same. The gorgeous actor who is juggling projects in various languages is very content with the way her character in the latest release Nte Mezhuthiri Athazhangal has turned out.

Talking about how Anjali came to her, Miya says, “I happened to meet Anoop Menon, who has also written the script for the movie, at an airport. The meeting was so short that we could just greet each other and then had to leave. However, I got a call from him the very next day and he told me that they were looking for an actor who could portray the character of Anjali. They had not thought of me until Anoop saw me.”

To Miya, the best part was she conceived her character in the movie just like how the makers picturised it while writing. “I was totally awed by the story. I always wanted to do a love story, but not a clichéd one; I feel this movie is a very different love story. My understanding of the character clubbed with the freedom that the director had given me to enact Anjali is the sole reason why it is being appreciated to this extent. I think that as an actor, understanding the story is very important for me to get into the skin of the character.”

In the movie, Miya’s character is that of an emotionally strong woman, who doesn’t fall for a man’s usual tactics to lure a girl and who cannot be impressed very easily. “Anjali speaks her mind and does only what she feels is right,” adds Miya.

She is all praise for her co-star Anoop Menon and says that despite being the scriptwriter, he has not attempted to give more importance to his character. “Once you watch the movie, you might feel that my character is given more importance. Anoop has very beautifully balanced out the characters in the movie. I don’t think that he was sceptical that his star value will be affected if the female lead is given more importance. He just wanted the movie to look genuine,” she says.

Asked about her criteria when choosing roles, Miya says she gives priority to the extent to which her character can uplift a particular movie’s feel. “My character need not be that of the leading lady but I should

definitely have something useful to do. I did a supporting role in Anarkali, however, whenever there is a mention of the movie, my character does not get lost amid the important ones. I can’t ask for anything more,” the actor says, adding that it also increases the responsibility of choosing the right roles.

Commenting on the responses she is receiving for her new release, Miya says, “Many prominent people have appreciated my character in Nte Mezhuthiri Athazhangal. VKP sir told me that I have very well avoided melodrama and that my acting looks very natural. Overacting is a complete no for me. This is something I have followed right from the beginning. I try and keep things very subtle. Going overboard is very easy, keeping it precise is difficult. I am happy that people are appreciating me for that.”

Miya is also of the opinion that characters that portray women as emotionally bold and strong should happen more often in movies because it is the need of the hour. She feels, “Women need to be strong in the present scenario and I think

cinema is the best medium to propagate a message that will have an impact on society. People need to understand that times have changed and that we too need to change our attitudes and thoughts towards women. It doesn’t make a woman arrogant or rude if she is upfront about her intentions and people need to accept that.”

Ask if her real-life character is similar to that of Anjali, Miya says with laughter that it is definitely a tough task to impress her.