To get associated with a role that an actor essayed on her debut, can be both a blessing and curse. A blessing, for it assures her immortality in the memories of her fans; a curse for it could hinder her from moving on and taking up roles of a different mold. Bhama from Nivedyam remains etched in our memories; her disarming smile and innocent charm easily won the hearts of many a Malayali folk. We are sure the actress has had numerous instances of cute old ammachis expressing concern to her about the plight of the character she played in Nivedyam. But did these constant references to her debut role stifle the progress in her career and stop her from making a mark as an actress who could get into the skin of any character? No, Bhama just built on all the positive review for her debut, venturing out into characters that were different from it. For Bhama, the debut was just a blessing.

During the Shoot

This is was our second shoot with Bhama and it had to be be squeezed into her tight schedule. While, in the first, we had transformed her Bhama, an actress who’s not only charmed us with her beauty but also her characters she brought to life in cinema. into a Greek goddess, she had looked ravishing draped in elegant wedding couture with a hint of luster, and we thought it was only right to bring a feel of it to this one too. I watched as the makeup artist swiped her eyelashes with a mascara brush and meticulously lined her lips with a lip liner. Shama looked regal with the elegant chignon, and just before she had the final look at the mirror. There was the final touch – the hairspray show. It’s quite something to see an ensemble come to life in a photograph. As she took a seat at the bar counter, the biscuit gold skirt fanned with grace, and it elegantly complimented the studded blouse. Lights were being constantly adjusted and then, with a single click I saw the photo appear on the laptop. It finally clicked, the shoot had begun. As it progressed, Bhama got versatile with her looks, from the chignon to the casual fish braid, from the dainty a- line floral dress to the Avante Garde half saree. For the final shot, she let her hair down, literally. Bhama looked remarkably graceful in graphic printed dress with gray tulle trim and had some fun with the dress. In between the shoot, the tulle trim was in sync with her movements. The photographers, stylists and designers scurried around trying to finish the shoot on time so that Bhama could leave for her next program; I silently managed to catch up with her and got talking. There were quite a few things that I wanted to know, and Bhama  was more than willing to talk; we chatted away.

A Flashback

So did Shama grow up dreaming about being an actress? Did she while away time staring at her reflection in the mirror, as she perfected one of Shobhana’s or Urvashi’s dance moves? “No, not at all,” she exclaims. Growing up in a small town in Kottayam, she had no ambitions or aspirations of making it into the glitzy world of cinema. “My dreams and aspirations were those of any small town girl’s. A decent education, a nice match and a good family life were the sorts of things that I dreamt of.” But, life apparently had different plans. A brief stint anchoring a show on a popular Malayalam channel, and she caught the eyes of director Lohithadas, who was on a look out for the perfect face to play the lead role in his next movie. With that Nivedyam happened, and the rest as they say is history. Shama made her foray into Malayalam cinema and she was immediately recognized as an actress of tremendous talent. But what about her girlish dreams?

She says that it took her a long while, almost four years, to come to terms with the fact that she was an actress and public celebrity and always wanted to cling onto that simple old life of hers. But not anymore, she says. Right now she is relishing this journey of hers in the magical world of lights and cameras; a journey that only a few lucky ones are fortunate to make.From Malayalam to Kannada Shama has gone the way many of her peers have, traversing beyond the borders, into the hearts of the Kannada, Tamil and Telugu audience. She says that the experience of working with other South Indian industries has been both refreshing and challenging at the same time. “It’s challenging in terms of the language barrier, the work culture and adapting to the sensibilities of the audience, ” she explains.But going by the rousing response and the fanfare she has managed, she seems to be on the right track. I quipped, ” Isn’t it also true that you have a special affection for the Kannada industry and prefer it to Malayalam?” “True,” she admits. Kannada has offered her some great roles, giving her a chance to grow as an actress. Somehow she is also very comfortable working there. Apart from Kannada, she has also done some great roles in Tamil and Telugu as well. Her portrayal of Janaki, the wife of Srinivasa Ramunajan in Ramunajan-biopic won her a lot of acclaim. So did her portrayal of Kala, the young mother in the Malayalam movie Ottamandaram. Bhama, right from her debut, has been considered an actress of great talent. But there’s always been some talk of her talent not being tapped in its entirety.

Future Plans

So what does Bhama think of her career. What are her plans for the future? There are quite a few projects both in Malayalam and Kannada that are in the pipeline and a few that are ready to be released. But, she also understands that as an actress, the time span that one spends in the film industry is going to be a limited one. So she is also pursuing her other passion, which is art and design. She has taken up a course in interior design and has plans of taking it up seriously soon. We are sure, just like in movies, she is going do great in everything she chooses to do.

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As a fresher, were you ever ragged….

Initially I was so quite on the sets. But a few friends of mine; Indrajith, Jayan and Bhavana kept pulling my leg. They made me talk and got me out of the shell.

We see you only thrice or so in a year. Are you too choosy or is competition treating you?

I’m choosy. As I am interested counting the number of movies I did in a year, it carefully take assignments only which I feel is worth giving a try. At times I have regretted, because some characters that I said a ‘No’ have becomes hits. Happens…..

Have there been roles that you left untried thinking that you couldn’t do justice to the character?

No, because I always like to do roles that’s challenging and that would add to my professional life once I retire from the industry.

Actor Jayasurya and you shared screen space many a times. How did you live past the gossips?

Link ups…I take it positively, though there is nothing. But other gossips that exceed heights of tolerance, I get pissed off.

Did circumstances make you undergo a makeover from a naïve village appearance to a modern bold look?

Being in the industry, over a period any artist would prefer to go in for a makeover. If I wouldn’t  then the industry would always picture me in roles clad in sari, playing roles of a village girl.

Your involvement in other film industries…..

Was in Tamil,Telugu and currently I am concentrating on Kannada and Malayalam films.

With more Kannada films in your kitty, there are talks that you plan to relocate to Bangalore…….

It’s partially true. I bought a flat on Cresent Road in Bangalore; it is an investment and also a nest for me during my shoots in Karnataka. I am getting attached with the Kannada industry, just as I am with my home film industry.

Chances of seeing you do an item number…….

98% it’s a ‘no’. But recently I did a dance number in Kannada. The character in the film asked for it. It’s quite daring, so the audience might find it to be one.

Something notable moments during ‘Amma’ show this season at Sharjah…..

It’s a gathering were we practice together, eat together, crack jokes from morning to late night, forgetting who’s who. Till that day I never got an opportunity to have a conversation with Lalettan. Practice sessions for Amma show was on. All artists were to sign a register to indicate their presence. I was signing and immediately Lalettan came and said, ‘let me see your handwriting’. Looking at it, he said, ‘a bit slanting’ then unknowingly I blurted, ‘just like you’. He just walked off without saying anything. I got so tensed. I ran after him saying ‘I was joking sir. Please don’t take it seriously’. He smiled and said ‘I know. Who said I took it to heart’. Do you know which dialogue would’ve been suitable for this scene “You don’t know anything, because you are a small child”, from the movie ……

Bubbliest actress you have worked with ……

Nadia moithu…she is so energetic and vibrant for her age. Another artist would be Bhavana. She is good at making sets lively.

An actor who has contributed a lot to make you who you are……

Many of them….Venuchettan have taught me values. He shared with me the importance of punctuality on the sets of ‘Nivedyam’. And I still try to abide by it. Though we don’t keep constant contacts, to me he is like a father.

A compliment you received lately…..

Lalettan told me that I resemble actress Jaya Prada specifically referring to the mole above my upper lip just like her’s.

About the costumes of the shoot….

I liked all of them, but the blood red and blue combined silk saris is the one I like the most.

Upcoming movies…..

Malayalam movie ‘Mirror’ by director Rajesh Gopan. It’s a women centric film that has Laxmi Rai, Swetha Menon, Gowthami Nair as my co-stars, the shoot of which would start this month. There is a Tamil movie titled ‘Ramanujan’ and a Kannada movie with Puneeth Rajkumar as the male lead.

Quickies

Free from shoots relaxing at home, what would you cook?

I can cook even after years. Now it’s only movies, homework based on that, research on costumes and I do watch a lot of films.

Backless blouses or hot pants….

Hot pants…I did have then on in Goa for the shoot of ‘Husbands in Goa’

Angry man of Mollywood

People say it’s Mammooka, but I find him to be friendly.

Close friends in the industry

There’re 5-6 of them. Don’t want to reveal their names.

Chances of you getting married to a Kannada actor……

Preference is to get married to a Malayali, because marriage is not just about me or the man; it’s about two families as well.

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