Everyone is blessed with a sense of humour: Devadarshini Neelakandan

“It’s been two years since the show kicked off,” says Devadarshini. “The idea was to cash in on the holiday season and engage family audiences by starting their day on a lighter note. I was roped into it post my performance in the movie, Kanchana, which elevated my image. Sharing screen space with the talented stand up comedian Madurai Muthu was so challenging that initially it was almost impossible to match up to his spontaneity. My acquaintances used to warn me to pull up my socks and I then started keeping an eye on my timing and flexibility.”

The crew first compiles the jokes she tells, then incorporates drama into it to make it all more intriguing. Also, zeroing in on topics becomes a hard task as it differs every week based on current trends. “We choose themes that people can relate to in every aspect. For example, during summer vacations, the shows are planned to cater to children or cricket-based ones during the IPL season, and so on,” she says.

How does she pull off being humorous? “I think everyone is blessed with a sense of humour,” she says. “It is all about identifying it and getting the opportunities to exhibit it. I have observed that humour comes more naturally to men than women. Women tend to downplay their emotions both on and off screen. (laughs) We are looked down upon whenever we make a sarcastic remark or laugh out loud. I feel that the difference comes in when emoting comic scenes too. There is a thin line between the humour sequences that are expected from men and women.”

Recalling her first comedy serial, Ramani v/s Ramani, Devadarshini thanks her observatory skill and experiences in upping her humour quotient there by making her competitive in giving ‘counters’ in the hilarious scenes. She considers the soap opera as a welcome move from the flurry of emotional scenes she was flooded with till then. The actress confesses that despite her apprehensions, it was only due to the director’s persuasion that she signed up for the role.

Pointing out the difference between films and serials, she says, “Our performance would be lauded in films despite a poor performance by the co-star, whereas the entire scene would be criticised in such a scenario in serials as timing is more important on the small screen.” Last seen in the serial, Athi Pookkal, Devadarshini only hopes not to become typecast — be it films or serials.

On the home front, she regards her husband Chetan as her mentor and guide when it comes to choosing projects and judging performance. Getting words of praise from him is like winning the prestigious Oscar, she says. “Being from a family of good educational background, my foray into TV happened by chance. I decided to try my luck in my first attempt, the serial Marma Desam, only because of my admiration for director Balachander who produced it. Later, I met my husband in 1997 and we did a serial together. It was post our marriage in 2002 that I realised that acting was my

profession and took it up seriously thereafter. I get honest feedback from him — right from my make up to my posture and performance. There are a few disadvantages in both of us being actors, but I have always felt that the positive sides are more,” she says excitedly.

For Devadarshini, family is of utmost importance, they give meaning to her life. The actress, who is a keen foodie, is amazed at her own metabolism, keeping trim despite her tendency to eat well. A huge fan of English television serials, she hopes to be a part of such projects if they do kick off.