What was it that made you decide to take on the role in 'Arjunan Sakshi'? What's so special about Anjali Menon?

I should say I was lucky to have an out-of-the-world debut through 'Elsamma Enna Aankutty' and follow it up with an equally promising project - 'Arjunan Sakshi'. This was a film that had at its helm Ranjith Sankar who had left a distinct mark with 'Passenger', and in which I was being paired with Prithviraj. As an actress this was another dream venture for me, and it didn't take me long to say 'Yes' to it.

This might seem like a coincidence, but you had essayed the role of a very bold village girl in 'Elsamma Enna Aankutty', and now in your second film, you get to play another woman who is a go-getter; a journalist this time. Is there any overlapping between these two characters that you have donned, apart from the fact that both of them tend to tackle life daringly?

In fact, there is a whole lot of difference between the two characters. Probably the only similarity between them is the 'newspaper connection'! In 'Elsamma' the whole film revolved around the title role that I played; that of a newspaper agent who had a family to tend to. In 'Arjunan Sakshi', I am a part of a much larger scheme, and I play a city girl who gets posted as a journalist with a prominent newspaper. While 'Elsamma' was more of a light hearted entertainer, 'Arjunan Sakshi' is a much more serious film that focuses on some real grave social issues

I suppose people are going to remember you for a very long time as Elsamma, and do you think it's going to take you some time to break away from the Elsamma image?

To be honest, let me tell you that I never ever want to break away from the Elsamma image. Elsamma is so special to me, and would always remain so. As Elsamma, I spoke, dressed and behaved in ways that I wouldn't dream of in real life. I still have a couple of Elsamma costumes tucked away in my cabinet, since I hold the memories associated with the film real close to my heart and I would truly be glad if people remember me as Elsamma.


Image: Ann Augustine in Arjunan Sakshi