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Images: FWD Media

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The post Go Behind the Scenes with Reenu Mathews For FWD Life June 2017 appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Text: Maria John    Photos: FWD Media

A Quick Word with Reenu Mathews

Your onscreen character that you identified with the most

Annie in Immanuel. She may not have dressed like me, but felt very close to me.

Some characters are so much older than you actually are. How old do you feel?

Oh, 18!

If you were cast in Boeing Boeing, which character would you play?

Probably Elena. Lisie’s character that falls in love with Mohanlal.

What do you love about Kerala?

Food again (laughs). The greenery and monsoons. I wish people here would take better care of their surroundings.

Who would you want to be stuck in a lift with and what would you do?

Amir Khan or Mr.Bachchan! Talk about movies and passion.

If someone wanted to impress you and take you on a date?

I don’t like showoffs. Simplicity matters to me. When guys remember something you told them before and they do small gestures with that in mind, it means a lot. But the shortcut is food (laughs).

Next desired destination

Georgia or Cyprus. I would like to go to Santorini with someone special.

A song you identify with

When You Say Nothing At All by Ronan Keating.

How do you define style?

Anything that makes you comfortable.

What do you love about Dubai?

Food, shopping, meeting different people. I feel safe in Dubai

So how does Reenu Mathews relax!

By eating. I love food. People sometimes don’t believe it. I love trying different cuisines but of course I am particular to naadan food. Then I do things like everybody else, listen to music, go for movies, window shop or even catch a spa break.

There is not much about you on the internet and you seem like a private person.

Maybe because I am not in Kerala unless mostly there is a shoot. Also my friends circle is very small.

Are you an expert on jetlag?

I am not an expert on jet lag, but I have come a long way. It was difficult to adjust to different time zones. You learn from every crew you fly with.

There is not much about you online. I did a google search and it suggested things like Reenu Mathews hot kissing scene, navel…

It’s weird isn’t it? It is not even my pictures and I keep thinking when did I do such things?

The post All You Need To Know About Reenu Mathews appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

When you meet Reenu Mathews, you really don’t get what you expect. The last the public had seen her was onscreen as the gun expert Madhumita in Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi. In 2015, Reenu had broken out of her saree clad quintessential Malayali female roles into roles that were more urban. Just 7 movies old, Reenu Mathews had already made a mark in the industry working with exciting directors and acclaimed actors. Whether it was sharing screen space with Mammootty or Mohanlal, this air hostess cum actress had captured the imagination of the audience. So where was Reenu Mathews now?

Model: Reenu Mathews       Photographer: Clint Soman

In a flowing white blouse and jeans, shades on top of her head and a fresh juice in her hand to beat the summer heat, Reenu was relaxing by the backwaters in Mattancherry when I went to meet her. Stereotypes of actresses with a heroine complex and air hostesses with their nose in the air ran through my head. So imagine my surprise when she stood up to meet me and pulled a chair out. “Do you want something to drink? It is a warm day.” I nodded my head as I noticed how tall she was. She ticked all the boxes of a first impression of an air hostess. She had a million questions for me and was super excited about my now evident baby bump. “ You are an achayathi too!” Reenu remarked on my accent. And as every Malayali, we connected on where we were from and the interview felt like two college friends catching up after semester break.

It has been two years. Where have you been Reenu Mathews?

I have been very much here! Well if you are talking about movies, I had couple of offers come my way, but there were issues regarding schedules as I also am a full-time air hostess. I haven’t disappeared anywhere. There were a couple of movies that came my way which I didn’t want to do because they were the typical wife role.

Model: Reenu Mathews       Photographer: Clint Soman

How is this photoshoot different?

I have been wanting to do this shoot for a while and it is actually happening now. People have seen me in very traditional looks, and this is very different. The team has been professional and things are going to plan. I feel ten years younger now.

You have been all around the world!

86 countries I think. I love Brussels because I’m a chocolate freak. Singapore and Bangkok are great for shopping. I love places rich in history and would love to go back to Vienna or Prague.

Model: Reenu Mathews       Photographer: Clint Soman

Do you get recognized in other countries?

I was in grocery shopping in Australia. There was a Malayali family there and I could hear them discussing how Reenu Mathews would be in the country and doing grocery shopping. I was enjoying the conversation. Same thing happened in Malaysia and the family was very confused.

Celebrities shop for groceries?

(Reenu breaks into laughter). It has happened so many times when I shop in Dubai, as people don’t expect to see me doing regular things. They move to a corner to have a discussion. If I am feeling naughty, I’ ll hover over the tomatoes taking my time to hold them up and act as if I was keenly deciding which one to pick. Sometimes you do feel like it is an invasion of your privacy.

Model: Reenu Mathews       Photographer: Clint Soman

Thirteen years as an air hostess. Are air hostesses stereotyped too much?

Yeah they always say we are party animals. I’m not a party person at all. It depends on the person. Many who know me have told me that I’m not meant for movies and also the air hostess job as well. But I enjoy this.

Would you say you are an independent Malayali woman?

I have been doing things on my own since the age of sixteen. There are certain things I do depend on my mom for, but I can take care of myself. I travel a lot on my own and it makes you very self-confident.

Model: Reenu Mathews       Photographer: Clint Soman

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I will be sitting in a small cottage listening to music and peacefully living my life.

Reenu messaged me few days after to enquire about my health and reflect on the great day we had. “Make sure you eat well”, advised the foodie and I know she means it. Reenu was in Dubai, waiting for her next assignment. The photographs had come in and the photographer had managed to capture her for who she is – a classic. An easy person to work with, Reenu had captured all our hearts and I know that we will be seeing a lot more of this talented woman soon.

Words: Maria John

Model: Reenu Mathews

Photographer: Clint Soman

Stylist: Lakshmi Babu

Makeup & Hair: Renju Renjimar

Location Courtesy: The Waterfront Granary Museum Hotel, Mattancherry

Special Thanks: Ela by Jisha

Digital Version: https://goo.gl/Bs9vlq

The post Back under the spotlight: FWD Life Gets Candid With Actress Reenu Mathews appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Words: Susmitha Suresh   Images: Various Sources

Breaking the norms never come easy. It’s hard to break free from societal confirms and be who you are. So it comes as an inspiration and encouragement when in atleast a few films, people, and more so woman, break away from the confirms of stereotypes.

We made a list of 5 such strong unconventional characters in Malayalam films, from the age old Avalude Ravukal to 5 Sundarikal.

Avalude Ravukal – Raji (Seema)

The first Malayalam movie to get an “A” certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification, Avalude Ravukal followed the life of a prostitute, Raji played by Seema. It dealt with very bold and controversial subjects that many directors still delve into with caution. It deals with the life of Raji, who became a prostitute to take care of her brother that ultimately dies an untimely death at the police station. But she finds her happy ending when she marries her regular customer Babu (Ravikumar).

Thoovanamthumbikal – Clara (Sumalatha)

The movie gave us Clara, played by the enigmatic Sumalatha. Clara was the strong and independant woman with a sense of dignity that seemed uncalled for to the audience at the time because of her choice of profession. Her choices drive the movie forward. She became a prostitute because of her dire need for money, yet refuses to marry Jayakrishnan. Though the movie follows the male protagonist, a.k.a. Mohanlal as Jayakrishnan, it gives us two strong unconventional women. The other women, his wife, Radha played by Parvathy was an equally bold character, with her no-nonsense attitude and strength.

Kannezhuthi Pottumthottu – Bhadra (Manju Warrier)

Bhadra (Manju Warrier), the strong female protagonist of the story, sets out to take her revenge against Natesan (Thilakan), who murdered her family 15 years ago. She seduces both the father and son, ultimately getting them to fight each other. Manju Warrier, as an actor, shines in her role as the charming manipulative seductress, set on the goal to end the tyranny of the father- son duo by their death. She falls in love with the charming Moosakutty (Abbas), but chooses not to be with him till she reaches her goal.

Achuvinte Amma – Vanaja (Urvashi)

Vanaja (Urvashi) is a smart LIC agent who lives with her daughter Achu (Meera Jasmine). All is well until Ijo (Narein) and Achu cross paths. What was once a harmonious family was disrupted as Vanaja was against the relationship. Achu, who was once the sweet, doting child that never went against her mom, finds her own footing and asks questions that were long left unanswered. But situations arise that bring to light the truth behind Vanaja,her struggles, her past. They recognize each other for the strong women they are.

5 Sundarikal – Kullante Bharya (Reenu Mathews)

The movie 5 Sundarikal had five different story lines within it. The one called Kullante Bharya was from the point of view of a bedridden person played by Dulquer Salmaan. A new couple moves into the neighbourhood. A ‘Kullan’, a short fellow played by Jinu Ben who is only 5 feet 1 inches who was towered over by his wife played by Reenu Mathews. The role challanged societal conventions and taught us to look at love beyond judgments.

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