While Mollywood boasts of a bunch of ‘forever’ heroes, the heroines are always in short supply. While some go industry hopping as soon they get noticed, others get married and go abroad even as their careers are on an ascend. That explains why there was a collective sigh of relief when the talented Manju Warrier decided to make a comeback. Otherwise, directors were forced to import actresses from different states and dress them up in nadan clothes.
All of a sudden, however, there seems to be a young crop of female actors competing to establish a toehold and priding themselves on being the promises of the future.
Prayaga Martin is one such girl, who made her foray into Malayalam with a K-Town visiting card. Her Malayalam debut Oru Murai Vanthu Parthaya has helped her bag a series of new-gen films —Kattapanayile Hrithik Roshan of Nadirsha, Ore Mugham of Dhyan Sreenivasan and Fukri having Jayasurya in the lead.
“The kind of reception I am treated to was totally unexpected,” says Prayaga. “Being a Malayali, getting acceptance in my native state is a great thing. I see things in two ways — from an audience perspective and as an industry insider. Our viewers are a sensible lot. Their judgement is unbiased without considering who or what the actor is. The result for the actor in me partially rests with myself. The outcome comes from how I prioritise and select projects, provided the right factors fall into place — good script, time and so on.”
The small screen chatterbox Rajisha Vijayan, on the other hand, virtually walked into the hearts of audience playing Elizabeth aka Eli in Anuraga Karikkin Vellam. Following a 'one-film-at-a-time' norm, she has joined the sets of Dileep’s next film being shot in Thrissur. She observes that social media and the platform of short films open umpteen doors for a tinsel town aspirant these days.
“If an appearance on a magazine cover or a close contact within the field or a kalathilakam title were desirable factors for a movie heroine once, things have changed,” she says. “I feel the audience these days look for newcomers for unknown reasons. Everyone therefore gets a chance to showcase their talents. Malayalam film industry has no dearth of talent. Fresh faces have come and gone. Stability might be a reason why switching of industries happens.” Rajisha is not here to do a part time job. She wants to get herself fully into the acting profession and learn new things. If things turn out in her favour, she would certainly stay for long. Eli is getting into the shoes of Merlin for her next outing.
Happy Wedding fame Anu Sithara has a long list of projects. Having acted in Naval Enna Jewel and College Diary, she is excited about Sarvopari Palakkaran and Fukri which are on the way. “Ours is a period when everyone loves cinema. The families are supportive of us. Like the way viewers associated a certain period of movies with the names of particular actors, after some more years there’ll be a generation of people who identify a phase of cinema with the current actors. More number of talents means a tougher competition. Becoming choosy is one way to tide over the situation. In my case, my husband has a role in selecting movies for me,” Anu gushes.
From a director’s perspective, College Diary’s Jeevan Das says the attitude of the actors contributes a lot. “Sustenance is a matter of loyalty. The industry has a steady inflow of talents. Those approaching with seriousness will stay,” he says.
The list doesn’t end there. Premam girl Anupama Parameswaran is readying to consolidate her position by acting opposite Dulquer Salman in Sathyan Anthikad’s next. Aparna Balamurali’s journey from Oru Second Class Yathra is going strong and steady with Maheshinte Prathikaram, Sarvopari Palakkaran, Oru Muthassi Gadha and an upcoming Asif Ali starrer. As for the viewers, more the merrier.
