Kavya Madhavan : Busy as can be

For Kavya Madhavan, this is a time to celebrate. When most other actresses in Malayalam find their careers as if on a rollercoaster ride, she alone continues to be busy in all sense, in mainstream commercial cinema as well as in offbeat cinema. While her Naadiya Kollappetta Rathri (the investigative thriller directed by K. Madhu) won her rave reviews, she is all set to conquer new territory with the Siddique-directed Tamil film Sadhu Mirandaa. She is also going international with the Adoor Gopalakrishnan-directed Naalu Pennungal, which was recently premiered at the Toronto festival.

All this can be traced back to a humble beginning in films as a child artiste. She got her first film as a heroine in Chandranudikunna Dikkil, after which there was no looking back. She has done all kinds of films and all shades of characters over the years, and won an enviable place in the hearts of all Malayalees. Kavya Madhavan opens her heart in this casual chat with Unni Nair of nowrunning.com. Excerpts:

So, now here you are, all set to make it big in Tamil Cinema. How do you feel?

Happy. It's a film directed by Siddique Sir, who has his own reputation as a maker of clean entertainers. I loved working in the film and I have placed my entire trust upon the Director. I have a feeling that it is going to turn out to be a good film, likely to be enjoyed by all sections of the audience.

NTell us about your character in the film?

I play the role of a lively young girl named Priya. She is an engineering student and also a television anchor. She has big dreams. Priya is unlike any other character that I have done till now. She is modern and urban in all respects. I am acting opposite Prasanna, who plays a youth named Sivasundaram. When the two characters cross ways, things take a new turn. A very interesting plot! You will love seeing the film.

You have also acted in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's film. Tell us your experiences working with him?

Working with Adoor Sir is no doubt one of the greatest things that could happen to an actress like me. And I am happy that I could get the chance to act in his film at so young an age. Working with him will always be an unforgettable experience for me. He is a director who knows how to bring out the performer in an artist and get him or her to deliver exactly what he wants. It was no less than a revelation to work with someone like him.

You have been talking a lot about Naadiya Kollappetta Rathri and had even been saying that it was kind of a dream role for you. Is it so?

To a very great extent, yes. It was a film that excited me very much as far as performance was concerned. My character in the film was totally unlike any character I had done till then, in nature, in body language, in all respects. It's a special character for an actress like me and doing it satisfied me a lot. It's no doubt an achievement for someone like me.

You did a double role in the film. Which character is it that gave you this satisfaction?

The character of Naadiya was the one that appealed more to me. I had never played a girl like Naadiya. I did a lot of homework. I cleared all my doubts with the director and the scenarist both of whom helped me a lot. The hero of the film Suresh Gopi too helped me. It was not that easy to get into the skin of the character. And of course I loved playing the two characters – Naadiya and Naadira. The two characters being different in temperament and nature, the film gave me utmost scope to bring out the actress in me.

So, what is your ultimate ambition as an actress?

To go on doing whatever roles that may come my way. I pray to God to help me stay afloat and retain the popular support which my films have earned me over the years. And I pray to God that I don't lose the goodwill that the directors and my co-stars have for me. I would just put my heart and soul into all the characters that come my way and all that I require is the blessings of the people, who have made me what I am.

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Nadiya Kollapeta Rathri

Kavya Madhavan Pictures