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]]>Text Credit: Shibul Pavithran
Once upon a time, Shakeela ruled Malayalam film industry and threatened the stardom of Superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty. Born as Shakeela C Begum near Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, the actor is one of six siblings. In interviews from the past, she has said that she was compelled to become a breadwinner at an early age. And thereafter has appeared in several adult films in languages spanning from Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. Her filmography spans the within the four major film industries in the South, but she proved to be most popular in the Malayalam film industry. Soon after Shakeela became a raging success in cinema, making history like never before, her films weren’t only dubbed in Indian languages but also in Chinese, Nepalese and several others. Shakeela became a popular figure in the film industry at a time when the field was largely dominated by men.
Source: youtube.com
While there are sports personas, there are even Bollywood stars whose inspiring tales have become a part of the silver screen. Besides them, there are some which are controversial like Vidya Balan playing Silk Smita in The Dirty Picture, and eventually reaped great benefits from the film. The film back then in Bollywood, was a huge success, because such a story, where she plays the female protagonist in mainstream cinema wasn’t such a common trend. Treading a similar path is Richa Chadha who is all set to bring the story of South adult star Shakeela.
Richa will start shooting for the same in the coming months and will start learning Malayalam to get her accent and language correct to maintain the authenticity of the movie. Sources said, “Richa will be taking Malayalam lessons from a tutor before she starts shooting so as to get the right diction and to justify her character. She is very excited to learn the language and start shooting for this movie.”
The biopic with Richa at the centre of it will tell the tale of Shakeela from when she entered the film business at the age of 16 and traces her life journey from there. Directed by Indrajit Lankesh, the biopic would go on floors in the end of April and will release in early 2019. Richa who was last seen in ‘3 Storeys’ has been geared up for the release of ‘Daasdev’
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]]>Words by Suhas KM, Charishma Thankappan, Shilpa Ann Stanley Images: Vishnu Thandassery
He made his arrival in the Malayalam film industry with his debut movie Orkut oru Ormakoot. After a gap of five years, Arjun Ashokan, son of seasoned actor Harisree Ashokan returns to films with Soubin Shahir’s directorial debut, Parava. He gives an insight into his work and life so far in this exclusive interview.
Parava is your second film. How did it happen to you?
I didn’t know Soubinikka very well personally, but we had met a few times. When my dad got to know that Soubinikka was doing a film, he called him. That’s when Soubinikka asked me to meet him. From then till now, it has been a long journey for me.
Tell us about your role in the film?
My character’s name is Hakkim, who is a typical Mattancherry youth who indulges in all sorts of mischief. I shan’t reveal more as the character is intrinsically linked to the story, so it’s better for you to watch and find out.
Image source
How was your experience working with the film? And as we all know it was Soubin’s directorial debut movie, so, how was it working with him?
It was a really great experience working with Parava’s team. Before the shooting started we all stayed together as the team. Working together gave us all a great energy.
Talking about Soubinikka, I was a little short on confidence in the beginning, but he moulded me slowly into Hakkim. I got a few references from him about the character. I got hold of all the costumes beforehand so that I could familiarise myself more with the character. I was able to learn a lot about movie making because each one of us was given complete freedom. Towards the latter part of the shoot, Soubinikka handed over the whole set into our hands just because of the trust he had in us.
Dulquer Salmaan is playing an extended cameo appearance in this movie. How was your experience working with him?
Mammookka is my favuorite actor, and I admire Dulquer a lot. Initially, I wondered about how it would be to interact with DQ. But I met him in a café after my first day’s shoot. From there, we started talking and I was very comfortable with him, he is a very cool person. It was a great experience working with him.
At the time when Parava was announced, it was highlighted in the news as the film in which the sons of three famous comedy artists – Abhi’s son Shane Nigam, Zainuddin’s son Zinil, and yourself – would be making a joint appearance. How was it working with them?
I didn’t know Shane initially, but I knew Zinil beforehand. We all interacted with each other before the shoot for Parava started, and were thus able to get very close to each other. Even now, we keep meeting. It was a great opportunity that I got to work with all of them.
Your debut movie was Orkut oru Ormakootu in 2012. How did that happen to you? You are doing Parava after a long gap. Why did you take such a long break between the two movies?
I was very active in various arts during school. Once, while dancing for a school programme, the brother of the director duo of Orkut oru Ormakoot, Manoj and Vinod, saw me and suggested my name for the film. That’s how I got my first film.
I used to go to the shooting locations with my father but I learned so many things after acting in the movie. I was not actually prepared to act in a movie as I was interested in music and DJing.
I thought of taking a break from movies because I wanted complete my education and become stable in my business. Parava came to me at the right time.
What was the advice you got from your father as you entered films?
He didn’t give me any particular advice. When I got this offer from Soubinikka, my father handed me over to Soubinikka entirely to mould me in whatever manner he deemed fit for his film.
Which is your favourite movie of your father Harisree Ashokan?
I love all of his movies. But he has done a different role in Baavuttiyude Naamathil and I liked his performance in that movie the most.
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]]>The post In Conversation With The Telugu Star Allu Sirish On Making His Mollywood Debut appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.
]]>After I walked into Allu Sirish’s room for his interview, I met the smartly dressed actor with an easy smile and was asked to sit down while he finishes up a prior meeting. I learnt in a few minutes that he was in conversation with a few fans, one of whom who flew down all the way from Bangalore for his Malayalam debut. This is the kind of dedication that the Allu family invokes many supporters and a minute or so into my interview with Sirish, I understood why his fans adored him so. With a life that revolves around movies, Allu Sirish is a born actor and singer and is very different from his elder brother Allu Arjun (other than the common trait of dedication that they give to their projects) who Malayalees have already seen and taken into their hearts. A big fan of Malayalam movies, Allu Sirish has been making a mark in Telugu for a few years and is making his Malayalam debut with a dream role in 1971: Beyond Borders – a movie by Major Ravi with Mohanlal in lead.
How does it feel like to make your Mollywood debut? What are you feeling right now?
I have been a fan of Malayalam movies for a long time and the chance I got was a happy surprise. I had mentioned to Major Ravi that I am a fan and he asked if I’d be interested and I got on board quickly and it has been a great experience. Right now, I am rather tense to see how the response to our movie will be.
The shooting itself was a grueling time as we all were going to all those locations and working. The fruit of our labor is finally reaching the screen and we hope that it manages to capture everything that all of us tried to portray. The story itself is very different than most war movies, since it is not jingoistic and is talking about war “beyond borders” as the name says.
What was it like to act with Mohanlal, a nationally acclaimed and seasoned actor?
Acting with Mohanlal was a wonderful experience. While I have seen him on screen, none of us know what goes on behind each shot. Every take was like an acting masterclass that I couldn’t have gotten from anywhere else.
With regard to 1971: Beyond Borders, being an army movie, was there any instance where you had to work really hard to do true justice to a scene?
Well, without divulging too much of the storyline, there was a moment in the movie where I had to draw on every physical trauma that I have ever sustained in life to do justice to a scene. It was the most intense attempt I have done in my life and after the scene was done, I was left physically and emotionally drained with a splitting headache.
Was there any Malayalam movie that you would have loved to have worked on?
Bangalore Days was a movie that I absolutely loved. If not the same story, it would be great to get an ensemble cast of the latest Telugu actors, all of whom grew up together and went to the same school, and make a nice feel good movie.
You have a great fan and social media following, have there been any bizarre incidents online?
(Laughs) Other than the usual things of young girls professing their love and proposing marriage, there haven’t been much bizarre online situations. My favorite moment is when fans send me art works, maybe from a movie or an image of me. Recently someone send me a handwritten letter about a movie and what they felt at different times during the movie, complete with sketched and illustrations. I do try and keep in touch with my fans and in fact have a dedicated number that I give to people who are really big supporters.
Beyond movies and personal interests, are there any causes that are close to your heart?
I have not taken up any causes as of now, but I am a very outdoorsy person and looking out at the Kochi skyline, there is so much of greenery here, along with concrete buildings. I would really love to create awareness and help encourage people to live a more sustainable life. If we don’t try to rein in our exploitation of the planet, we just might end up get to a point of no return for the planet in a century or so.
Words by: Fathima Abdul Kader
Images: Various sources
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]]>The post Acclaimed Bollywood Director Bejoy Nambiar To Make His Mollywood Debut With Dulquer In Lead appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.
]]>The film showcases five stories with five different female leads
Bejoy Nambiar, known for his critically acclaimed Bollywood movies like David and Wazir, is all set to make his Mollywood directorial debut with his upcoming film ‘Solo’. The director, who currently resides in Mumbai, was born in Kochi but took more than a decade to make a debut into Mollywood. The film is an anthology of five stories, with Dulquer Salmaan as the lead in all five of them.
The Malayalam-Tamil bilingual movie is produced under Gateway Films, a banner owned by the director himself. The film features five female leads, Malayalam actress Ann Augustine, model Arthi Venkatesh, Kannada actress Sruthi Hariharan, Marathi actress Sai Tamhankar, and Asha Jairam. The director, who used to be an assistant to Mani Ratnam, is also behind the script of the film. He’s not given out much about the film except that it’s a romantic thriller of sorts but belongs to multiple genres as well.
The film also essays a brilliant cast with actors like Malayalam actor Manoj K Jayan, Bollywood actor Prakash Belawadi, Tamil actor-filmmaker R Parthiepan and Bengali filmmaker Qaushiq Mukherjee making his debut in the Southern movie industry. It also features Siddharth Menon and Govind Menon of Thaikkudam Bridge in pivotal roles. The duo are also providing the music for the film. This marks the second time on the big screen for Siddharth Menon, his first being Rockstar which was released two years ago.
‘Solo’, which began production on 14th November, was said to be set for release on May 11. Then the talk was that the release was postponed to June 23. Amidst the confusion, the director, Bejoy Nambiar took to twitter to confirm that an official release date was yet to be confirmed. “Read about Solo releasing on June 23. Well, we haven’t officially locked a date yet. When we do we will announce.”, his tweet read.
The film has garnered hype among movie enthusiasts and Dulquer fans alike. With an acclaimed Bollywood director, and a South Indian superstar in the lead, the film is one that is sure to be anticipated with excitement this year.
Words by: Susmitha Suresh Images: Various sources
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]]>Three things you love about Aashiq as a human being….
I love the fact that Aashiq is a man with a lot of conviction; the second thing I love about him is his family. His mother is the boldest woman I have come across, and his sisters are simply adorable. And Ashiq’s ability to love and respect me is an extension of his family values. The way he understands me, the freedom he gives me to explore myself, it comes from his family.
The one quality that you dislike in Ashiq…
I don’t really hate anything about him; actually we both are a world of extremes and we do have our own silly arguments at times but that’s pretty much about it.
What is it on that Rima and Aashiq disagree most of the time?
Like I told you before, both of us are entirely different from each other, but our values and principles in life are similar. We differ in tastes, but on the bigger issues of life as such we agree most of the times.
Your next holiday together would be to…
We both have been longing to visit Pushkar mela in Rajasthan for a long time but because of our professional commitments we were postponing our holiday, but this time we are going to make it.
Is he an insecure lover?
No…Aashiq is a super confident human being, he is very confident and comfortable about himself, so there is no question of he being insecure.
If not for his movie, does he pay you surprise visits during filming?
No, he doesn’t come to my movie sets because it belongs to some other director or production house and that can be a distraction for them. But I do visit him on his sets because he is the one who calls the shots there.
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]]>Words by FWD Media Photographs by Toonus
FWD Life Style Awards 2016 was the premium red carpet event of Kerala bringing together the stylish Mollywood insiders and the style makers of Bollywood. The event doubled as the cultural evening for India Fashion Summit 2016 that had fashion pioneers of national recognition in attendance. FWD Life Style awards were meant to identify trendsetters and stylemakers in the field of business, fashion, acting, music and lot more.
Of all good things
The FWD Life Style Awards started off by awarding popular actor Dileep as the FWD Icon of the year. This was followed by a fusion performance by Kerala Tourism department incorporating elements of Kathakali and Kalari. Leading designers Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Shantanu & Nikhil, Beena Kannnan and Sreejith Jeevan, Fashion Retail Heads such as Narendra Kumar (Creative Head, Amazon), Gautam Kotamraju (Creative Head of Private Brands, Amazon) Pernia Qureshi (Founder of Pernia’s Pop Up Shop), Jaspreeth Chandok (Vice President and Head of Fashion, IMG Reliance), Fashion stylist and consultant Prasad Bidapa , fashion journalists Neena Haridas (Editor, L’Officiel) and Vinod Nair (Former Fashion Editor,Hindustan Times and Times Of India) who were speakers at India Fashion Summit 2016 were honored with a traditional kerala “ponnada” and a token of honour by Mr. U.V.Jose IAS Director of Kerala Tourism.
Best of all worlds
The lifestyle award categories included Stylish Actor, Stylish Actress, Stylish Makeover, Stylish VJ, Stylish Singer, FWD Stylish Cover of the Year, Celebrity Entrepreneur Male, and FWD Icon of the Year. The awards honored the stylish celebrities to grace the pages of FWD Life magazine. The awards were won by Unni Mukundan for Stylish Actor, Isha Talwar as Stylish Actress, Tovino Thomas as Stylish Makeover, Vinay Forrt as Stylish VJ, and Vijay Yesudas as Stylish Singer.
In addition to these categories selected through public voting, three additional categories were selected by the FWD Media House Senior Editorial Board. These awards- namely FWD Icon of the year, FWD Celebrity Entrepreneur and FWD Life Popular Cover of the Year were presented for their exemplary excellence in their respective category. Popular actor Dileep won the award for FWD Icon Of the year for his continuing popularity and capability to don many hats. Sunil Kumar V, MD of Asset Homes won the award for Celebrity Entrepreneur for his persevernce in the field of entrepreneurship. Finally, Sijoy Varghese won the award for the FWD Life Popular Cover of the Year award with respect to the mass social media response to his FWD Life Cover.
Night of music, style and fashion The event also included enthralling musical performances by Violinist Shabareesh Prabhakar as well as a musical treat by singer Sujith Suresh. The eventful night also saw the Max Fashion Show that showcased their Autumn/Winter 2016 collection. The launch of the FWD Life September Issue Cover featuring Unni Mukundan and Vinay Fort as well the unveiling of the poster for the movie Avarude Ravukal featuring Unni Mukundan, Vinay Fort and Asif Ali and directed by Shanil Mohammed was also a part of the night of music, talent and fashion.
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]]>Superstar and MP Suresh Gopi presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to the highly revered music legend M.K.Arjunan fondly called as ‘Arjunan Master’ ‘Red FM Malayalam Music Awards’ event initiated to honour artistic excellence in the Mollywood Music industry attracted the who’s who of the Malayalam music fraternity with big names like Gopi Sundar , Vani Jayaram , Ramesh Narayan , Rajesh Murugesan , Vijay Yesudas amongst others attending the show or even performing in it . Awards and cash prizes were given under ten different music categories.
This high octane entertainment evening witnessed some power packed dance performances by Neerav Bavleja and actresses Isha Talwar, Sshivada, Natasha and Sarayu. Music magician Stephen Devassy combined with Karunamoorthy, Giridhar Udupa, Thiruvizha Jayasankar, FranscisXavier, Arun Kumar , etc to produce some mesmerising music to keep the audiencefully engaged. Top music composer Gopi Sundar created a special eight song medley of his superhits along with reputed singers like Maqbool , Divya Menon and Sachin Warrier dedicating it to Red FM’s powerful on air music property ‘Ettu Koottam Paaattu’ and later came back again to sing ‘Sundari Penne’ with upcoming Superstar Dulquer Salmaan.
Speaking at the ceremony Red FM Chief Operating Officer B. Surendar said, “We take immense pride in organising this grand gala music awards show in Kerala. Being the largest radio player in the South, it’s our responsibility to award and honour the best talent in the Malayalam Music industry and showcase it to the rest of the world. Music is an art form that speaks directly to the heart, it has the special power to transcend the barriers of time and boundary and we take great pride in amplifying its reach to every heart that loves music in Kerala “.
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]]>Words by Likhitha P Nair
As they moved about at the shooting location, Unni and Vinay were all cheers. When I mentioned the theme of this interview, they broke into a smile. ‘Nostalgia’ is a paradoxical term – one that is to each, his own. After long discussions about pasts and presents, I realised that for Vinay, it is the streets of Fort Kochi that injected art into his blood, while Unni carved his out of being Malayali away from Kerala. Movies have, forever been living, breathing memories for every artist. Frames made and diffused closely – scribbled on crumpled sheets that reek of coffee, dampened by sleepless nights – thought, rethought and reflected. They are, for the lack of better words, dreams packed in reels that travel time and space.
On Vinay: Sunset Yellow Linen Shirt, Trousers andCoral Pink Check Linen Blazer from KIM India
“Avarude Ravukal” is a story of three men who end up in a new city. Despite being burdened by difficulties in life, they meet a man who shows them the silver lining, thus reinforcing faith in destiny – a sanguine manifestation of Murphy’s law. Vinay Forrt and Unni Mukundan have brought to life two lead roles in the movie, and they take time out to tell us about their work and worship.
Back in the Days
Unni was born and raised in Gujarat in a very Malayali home. Yet he didn’t enjoy coming to Kerala much as a child. “My friends were all back in Gujarat. And my Malayalam was really bad. So I used to pray for vacations to be short!” All through, he had dreamed of being a director, but fate, and his dashing looks, had other plans for him! While Unni only started admiring his ties with his hometown Thrissur during his late teens, Vinay was born into Kochi’s canvas. This Fort Kochi boy has only loved acting his entire life. “I was in the fourth standard when I decided I am going to be an actor. I have never looked back since then.”
On Unni: Fern Green Linen Shirt, Carolina Blue Linen Vest, and Limestone Side Pleated Pants from Aham, Belfair Leather Boots from Metro
Nevertheless, there are bits of home that always stays with a man. The epilogue left by flavours and fragrances that he holds close. “My mom used to feed me till I was 21 years old. I don’t think that is embarrassing. I consider it a privilege instead. I am grateful for those subtle blessings.” “Childhood is all about home for me. I remember my mother bringing me food, and being taught school lessons by her..” in a moment of silence that followed, Vinay found his nostalgia too. To him, culmination of life isn’t happiness, but peace. “Live and let live is the most compassionate way to exist. My years growing up has conditioned me to never hurt another person,” he says. Unni remembers the Malayali food that never missed a turn on the dining table in Gujarat. His father supported Unni’s love for the movie Industry. “It is a responsibility. Even now when I choose to do a movie, I wonder if my parents would enjoy it,” he says.
Where the Heart is
“I was the only one in my batch at the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune to return home to Fort Kochi. The roar of a big city was exciting, but my dreams always had the backdrop of my hometown,” says Vinay, who has never regretted the choice he made.
On Vinay: Ceramic Blue Linen Trousers,Cobalt Green Check Linen Blazer and Lamp White Linen Shirt from KIM India Monkstrap Oxford from Metro
Even as he was being raised in a different culture, Unni’s sentimentality remained solid too. “I think our Malayali group used to celebrate Onam better than most Keralites here in Kerala. We had the grand fare sadya, dressed up in finery, revelled in music and dance. I think being away from home gets you more attached to it.”
Off the Celluloid
Italian film maker Fellini called a pearl the oyster’s autobiography. For an actor, his pearl is the character he immortalises. But “Avarude Ravukal” seems to have established an intimacy with the lives of these young artists, on how life opened doors for them when they needed it most. Some would call it a stroke of fate, but for Unni, his cursive lessons took him to the crossroad. “I remember sending out letters to many big names in Indian industry expressing my interest in movies. Lohitadas Sir replied because he liked my handwriting. That brought me hope. My career and success as an actor pivoted on that reply.”
On Unni: Spring Green Linen Shirt, Ceramic Blue Linen Trousers and Brick Print Vest from KIM India Leather Tassel Loafer from Metro
Fate reached out to Vinay when he was struggling through college. Toiling away during midnight shifts at a call centre, he attended college through the day, and did theatre rehearsals during evenings. While hope was the only bright light at the end of the tunnel, he met Chandramohan Nair, head of acting department at FTII at an acting workshop in Kochi. “That acquaintance was followed by my decision to join the institute, and it ended up changing my life.” It is rarely that you can heartily converse with people you are only meant to interrogate and interview. This was the charm about Vinay and Unni. They are acutely comfortable with the people they really are – simple and convivial. The fact that they found time to share a laugh with our photographers while striking a pose, or pour their hearts out about their life’s nuances makes them good people, and soulful artists.As they left the shooting location, a myriad of fans surrounded them. Most of them wanting a ‘selfie’ with the actors, or wanting to have a few words. Patiently, the duo smiled for every frame, shook hands with every man and boy, and left with one last suave smile.
Models: Unni Mukundan & Vinay Forrt
Photographer: Jinson Abraham
Styling: Lakshmi Babu
Makeup & Hair Styling: Blessy Mary Chacko
Costumes: Aham Designer Boutique, KIM India
Retouch: Jemini Ghosh
Location Courtesy: DTALE Decor, Kakkanad
Production: FWD Media
Special Thanks: Metro, LuLu Mall Kochi
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]]>On the bay at The Waterfront Granary Museum Hotel in Mattancherry, Kochi, we met Vimala Raman sitting cross-legged and smiling, with no care in the world for the notorious heat waves this summer. Her smile accentuated her features, enhancing her chiselled cheeks and metalpiercing sharpness of her eyes.
Vimala Raman’s tone was as pleasant as her appearance, letting the interview fall into a relaxed and friendly chit-chat mood. Thus began the story of a young girl of Indian origin, and IT degree holder from Australia, landing in Chennai with the goal of becoming an actress.
How did cinema happen? What fuelled your interest in acting?
People have suspected that I always wanted to be an actress because I was involved with so many activities outside the classroom, during my school days Australia. I started learning Bharatnatyam when I was four, and also carnatic music and was a part of my school choir too, for six years. I took an interest in theatre as well. I was always involved in extracurricular activities but it was never a conscious path that I took towards cinema.
Usually, Indians who are born and/or raised abroad receive a cultural shock on their return to the country. Did you face any?
Fortunately, I had parents who made it a point to inculcate a good deal of Indian culture and values in us even as we grew up in Australia. From a young age, I understood what it meant to be an Indian. And moreover, we watched many Indian movies, mostly Tamil, regularly. Even as a child, I could converse fluently in both Tamil and Kannada. So you could say that I had the best of both worlds. But yes, moving to India was no cakewalk. For someone who had spent all her time Down Under, in Sydney, I faced some problems despite that. To know it is one thing and to live it as your daily reality is another thing, I soon discovered. But I still have my connections to the East to be thankful for, and not be shocked, with India. Hence, I didn’t at any point find it necessary to change myself dramatically to be comfortable in India; and that I think was an achievement in itself.
And, was there anything about India that was pleasantly surprising?
India is seen as chaotic and disorganised, yet in some strange way it is synchronised and has its balance. Here, I see everyone move in cooperation with each other, consciously or inadvertently. I think that talks a lot about the Indian culture as well. A simple example is traffic here, we Indians go through all the toughness, all the congestion of it, yet move forward. This is simple yet symbolic.
You shifted not just continents, but also your profession. How did that feel?
From being an IT graduate and working in Australia, to becoming an actress and living in India, it was a major transition. Honestly, the first year and a half was painful. It took me a while to get used to a lot of things, especially the way the industry works. It took me some time to learn and absorb a few things here. But once done, it changed my mindset and life became a lot easier.
What’s your opinion about social media as a platform for celebrity branding?
I am not too active in social media. But honestly, I think there is nothing wrong with using social media as a public relations tool. And it’s not just actors or artists, everyone on a social network is propagating and promoting themselves on a daily basis. It could be the most mundane of things like ‘I had that for lunch’, but the idea is always about being visible or relevant. And I don’t see any harm in it. In this highly competitive world, with billions of people, social media is a great platform to be heard and seen.
Tell us about your character in your next movie Oppam? Is there anything that determines your choice in movies in general?
I think if you look at my career graph, you notice that I have tried to stay away from being stereotyped as much as possible. I have always wanted to try different genres of acting, with different plots. And I have been successful there to some extent, having done horror, thrillers and mystery. I like to have variety happening and the truth is that commercial masala also lends some variety.
I have been wanting to get back into Malayalam cinema after a long gap. So when Oppam came along, I grabbed it with both hands. Apart from it being a Priyadarshan movie, the subject was very compelling too. I am sure that
it will have the audience at the edge of their seats and I am totally excited about it.
What differences have you observed between film industries of the south, and what do you like about each?
Indian artists are at an advantage that way, I believe, as we have the chance to work in so many industries with so many great actors, directors and technicians in each of them. I am lucky to have been able to work in six different industries. Working in an industry is also about the learning the culture of that place. When I play a role in a Malayalam movie, I know what it feels to be a Malayali. Working on the sets of a Malayalam movie is a unique experience as you spend more time on the sets interacting, having fun with your co-artists and technicians, unlike in the other industries where you spend more time within the confines of your caravan. But like I said, every industry has its own very distinct character and is special for that
What is your fashion mantra?
Fashion and I have always got along really well, ever since I was young. As long as I can remember, I have always been fussy about how I looked and what I wore. Even if it was just my mom’s old salwar, I was particular that it looked good on me. My fashion statement would be class and elegance, with a touch of sportiness. These days, off-screen I am a jeans and t-shirt person with occasional dresses and jackets. To me, fashion is not just about the clothes but about the person as a package. It doesn’t have to be a million dollar dress, if you know how to carry it off, even a ten dollar dress can look like a million bucks. It may sound clichéd, but it finally boils down to feeling comfortable and confident.
Do you like travelling? Can you share with us what you love doing or the places you love travelling to?
Yes, I love travelling. Every year I try to visit at least one new country. And I have been doing it even if it’s in between the shoots because travelling has taught me many things. When you travel you pick up so many things and are exposed to the world. You start realising that there could be more to life, than what you see with your limited perception.
Model:Vimala Raman
Child Models: Annah and Zoya
Photographer: Jinson Abraham
Styling: Lakshmi Babu
Makeup & Hair Styling: Shalu George
Costumes: Lulu Fashion Store
Retouch: Jemini Ghosh
Location: The Waterfront Granary Museum Hotel, Mattancherry
Production: FWD Media
Special Thanks: Metro and Addons, LuLu Mall, Kochi
Behind the scene Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwDhxgqtY0g
The post Vimala Raman – On the Comeback Trail appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.
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