Keerthy, the dewy-eyed star kid, has made a place for herself in Mollywood with her debut film 'Geethanjali' receiving a favourable response. A new star has just been sighted in the filmi firmament.
“The response that I have been getting for the film is wonderful. Everybody is so excited about it. I had been so nervous as there was a lot of expectation riding on me because of the movie’s association with Manichithrathazhu and because of my parent’s legacy. I had to make sure that I did not disappoint or embarrass my parents. In the end it all turned out well and I’m relieved and happy,” says Keerthy.
The young soft-spoken actress, who is so much like her mother Menaka, likens the industry to a second home. “I still remember the first shot. I had butterflies in my stomach. Even though I have acted in movies like 'Kuberan' and 'Achaneyanenikkishtam', I was in front of the camera after a long time and for a much bigger role. Fortunately, the first shot required me to look nervous and worried, so I didn’t have to act. I simply lived the moment and the first take itself was okayed. Priyan uncle called up my parents to tell them about it, it was exciting,” she says.
After that, even the challenge of playing double roles of Geetha and Anjali did not unnerve her. “Perhaps, it was the ease and efficiency with which Priyan uncle directed me, it was much like doing two different roles for different movies. You just do one character and get over it and then do the next.
However, I was a bit worried about acting with veterans like Innocent uncle because I knew I could never match up to their experience. The only senior actor I was confident to be onscreen with was Lal uncle as I’m very close to him,” she adds.
Keerthy has some fond memories of shooting for 'Geethanjali' which she believes will stay with her forever. “I love food and Priyan uncle always teases me about it. He says “‘Penne, why do you eat like this? Have some control,’. We were shooting during Ramzaan. Every evening, when Siddique uncle went to break his fast, I would slip out from Priyan uncle’s gaze and feast on all the Ramzaan delicacies with him. But when I returned to the sets everybody would make fun of me,” says Keerthy with a chuckle.
The young actress is unrelenting when it comes to the quality of her work. “Going to a theatre and watching yourself on the big screen is a nightmare.
“Some scenes make you feel ‘Wow, I did that?’ and in certain others it’s like, ‘How could I do that?’. Even during the preview, I was so embarrassed about watching myself on screen that I refused to sit with my parents and so I sat with the assistant directors in a corner. It was reassuring as they knew the effort behind the scenes. At the end of the preview we were all praying that no one else would notice the flaws. I’m the greatest critic of my work,” she says.
Keerthy has been getting some good offers but has not committed to anything because of her busy dates. “The idea is to choose good roles and good movies. I don’t want to act simply to remain in the industry nor am I here to do glamour roles. If I get to do only 10 roles, then I should be remembered for all the ten roles. I’m looking for character-oriented roles no less!” she emphasises.
