The time was 7.30 am. Before the heat raised temperatures and tempers in the city, FWD’s cover models for the month of September got their juvenile spirits explode at the studio.

To me their initial conversation looked as if they were breaking the ice. But in no time the ambiance transformed with the entry of the photographer, Kavya who flew all the way from Bangalore to join them. The set began to illuminate with energy having such bubbly and enthusiastic celebrities around. The quaternion seemed to be celeb genus; anyone would wish to work with– carefree and relaxed. Breakfast didn’t take us long. The beauties and the hotties after giving themselves a full stretch moved for their makeover all excited glimpsing through their individual outfits.
Fitting into their respective casual outfits, they sat down for the makeover chitchatting with the stylist as the revolution of their new look was progressing. The shoot began with the stunt actor Unni Mukunthan striking a pose on a white Renault Koloeos. As it came to an end, Pearly Maaney, Maria and Anu Mohan joined him.
For us and for them the shooting moments were hilarious. Kavya and Pearly who were constantly engaging the team with their amazingly entertaining sense of humour had the rest bow in appreciation to their instant wit that had sidelined stand up comedy.
The entire day’s shoot came to an end with a glamorous array of pictures for us and an opportunity for the jingbang to gel with their co-stars in their upcoming flick ‘Last Supper’.

Do you feel at ease working with new generation directors?
Unni : Haven’t got to team with ‘new generation directors’, I have no say in expressing my experience working with them. On a personal note, I regard working with seniors as they’re helpmates who have taught me a good share out of their experience.
Pearle : Be it young or senior, they must be totally dedicated. With a young director alongside, there will be fun, but what if enjoyment crosses its boundaries shifting focus. I personally wouldn’t gel with such a person or his principles.
Anu : All the time I got to work with debut directors. Of them, director Shafi is the only one who is comparatively senior. To me he is a friendly person and I had no hiccups teaming with him.
Mariya : I’m just a movie old. Working with Kalam sir (Associate of director Lal Jose), I experienced complete disciple on the sets. It could be the ethics passed on by his guru.

Your worst habit….
Unni : I flare up like wildfire.
Pearle : As a lil girl I used to monitor people and without having a word I used to judge them. But now I don’t think I have any traits that can be referred to as ‘worst’.
Anu : I sleep like a log. As I go off to bed late I find it difficult to rise early. So my wake up time is mostly close to brunch.
Mariya : I boil my head and lament over silly matters.

A thing about the opposite sex that puzzles you the most…..
Unni : I never understand what they mean and what they don’t. It needs patience to figure out what runs through their mind.
Pearle : Females confuse me. They switch moods like how cut apples turn brown. I have also wondered why boys should have all the fun riding bikes. To prove myself I secured a two wheeler license; drove in a zigzag manner on the roads until I was caught red-handed by the cops.
Anu : What Pearle said is so true. Girls are so moody and emotional that they tend to forget what they say in the midst of their emotional turmoil.
Mariya : Men are poor at expressing emotions. We cannot possibly guess from their blank behaviour.

Do you believe that creativity comes along with puffing joints?
Unni : Not at all. It is like blaming art for doping just like random excuses alcoholics’ cook up.
Pearle : Its utter crap. I know people who are addicted to this deadly habit. Movies too are promoting this trend which I feel is not right. When I was a psychology student I got to intern at NIMHANS, Bangalore. There I had met patients who even mistook cocaine to be their girlfriends.
Anu : Not necessary. I know IT professionals who take it daily as a stress buster. There is also a misconception among the public that weeds are more rampant in the film industry. No…It’s there in every field, taken mostly for socialising.
Mariya : I am wholly against it. I do come across individuals who mull over smoking weed. For them it helps their imagination to cross boundaries.

What should one do to get your special attention?
Unni : Try not to be stupid.
Pearle : His/her humour sense, not at the cost of hurting others. Cracking jokes by making fun of others just as we watch shows mimicking politicians’ and their offices during the solar scam…that is emotional murder.
Anu : A girl need not do anything. Her looks are more than enough.
Mariya : My attention…I guess it’s their genuineness and intelligence.

Upcoming films….
Unni : ‘Last Supper’ in which I play a hacker named ‘Alby’. Then it’s ‘Vikramadithya’ a Lal Jose film that is based on friendship; the shoots of which will commence by mid March. And you can watch we portraying a comedy flick ‘Iyer in Pakistan’ directed by Fazal.
Pearle : For now it’s ‘Last Supper’. Movies weren’t my focus, but when director Samir Tahir approached me with the character in ‘Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi’, I had no second thoughts. Good crew, bikes, interesting script…
Anu : ‘Last Supper’ directed by Vinil, ‘Pianist’, a bilingual movie in Malayalam and Tamil were I play the lead role and Roopesh Peethambaran’s ‘You Too Brutus’ starring Sreenivasan, Tovino, Aju, Amalda Liz ( a top model) and more characters.
Mariya : Same here…Vinil Vasu’s ‘Last Supper’ a movie about four friends on an adventurous trip. All four of us are co-stars in the movie.

Celebrating Onam for you is…
Unni : Undoubtedly it’s onam sadya. Having being in Ahmadabad for about 21 years, I felt more of a Malayali there than a Malayali boy residing in Kerala. I’m saying it as I was an active member at the Malayali Samajam, running on my toes engaged in Onam preparation for atleast four days prior to Onam. Collecting donations for onam sadya, joining the group for sadya preparations… I think it’s that togetherness what Onam demands.
Pearle : Ours is a joint family. The celebrations begin the previous night with the plucking of flowers for ‘attapookkalam’, and preparations for sadya. The festivities reach its highest by afternoon with music, dance and clicking pictures.
Anu : I will be at my paternal home in Kollam. There we celebrate Onam with sadya, a family cricket league at the courtyard and winding up the day’s festivities with some music. Last year as my father passed away, we had no celebrations. But this year as it’s my brother’s (Vinu Mohan) first Onam post marriage, we’re thinking of revelling.
Mariya : Till 2011, Onam was just another day. In North Onam celebrations are within the four walls. But now as I’m here in Kerala I wish to celebrate it as a family get-together.

Photography : Kavya Prakash