Actress Rajalakshmi Parameshwaran performs one of the most memorable roles in her acting history as a mother in Kallachirippu. (The new web series presented by director Karthik Subbaraj is a thriller involving the accidental killing of a husband by his wife and her slow, painful descent into a moral cesspool.)
“I was a professional Bharathnatyam dancer running three schools in Kolkata by the time I was 23. I came back to Chennai to get married and in 2012 my daughters and my husband felt that I had to do something for a hobby since I had only focused on taking care of them and the household for over 25 years. They thought that someone as outspoken and expressive as I am should take a break from the household duties and venture into the Kingdom of Kollywood. They encouraged me to get a portfolio done and I was initially modeling for brands. One thing led to another and I was acting in commercial advertisements. I felt liberated and independent, like a teenager, in my 50’s,” says the 55-year-old actress who was born and brought up in Kolkata.
In conversation with DC, she said, “The first film offer I received was to play Nazriya’s mother in Thirumanam ennum Nikkah. After this, I played the supporting mother roles in Andavan kattalai, Saivam, Sketch, Adhe Kangal, Rajathanthiram, and Masala Padam. It truly requires immense patience, energy and the right mindset to be working as a supporting artiste. For someone who has no prior background in acting, I have always been treated with immense respect by all actors, directors and the ADs (even when I forget lines and go blank!). I learnt that it really has to do with how you carry yourself and the body language you portray to others. But the major take back I have had is the learning experience working with directors like ‘Kaaka Muttai’ Manikandan sir and Vijay sir.”
Her favourite role — “I was made to dance ecstatically in the Koyambedu market for an ad! I had to let all my inhibitions loose and I really enjoyed it. That experience made me realise that however old you are, one’s learning experience never stops. We come from an industry where all actresses from the ‘90s are now playing mother roles. I am not saying it is wrong, but more often than not, there aren’t many shades and depth to these mother roles. Most of them are even blink and miss if you are not well established. We definitely need more films like Magalir Mattum and Power Pandi where the older women are not just a support to the hero but make a difference to the story. There needs to be an elevation from supporting roles to protagonist roles. It is a slow change but I see it happening. Maybe when I am 80, I will be offered to play a grandmother murderer!”
“I would say that Kallachirippu is the most memorable character I have performed as I was offered a negative mother role by the director. I was really sceptical about it in the beginning especially because topics that were considered taboo are discussed in the web series. Moreover, the dialogues are not theatrical and censored. There is realism in this thriller and I have received appreciation for my performance as a villain. This will be a big and well deserved break for everyone involved in the project.” she said with absolute joy.
