We all take opulence from categorising public figures into familiar types; by giving two or three words or phrases as descriptors to people we ‘think’ we know. Rarely in the world of Indian cinema, do people break out of their ‘types’. Actress Parvathy is one such individual, who speaks her mind and despite lacking the usual film pedigree, has carved a niche for herself in a short span. In this chinwag with DC, the powerhouse performer opens up on her unconventional lifestyle and being selective about roles, breaking out of clichéd moulds, her upcoming films and more.
Having worked in 13 movies in a span of seven years, she is not your average heroine running around trees in search of big hits in her kitty. She says, “For me, acting is not just a profession. I pay my bills, sure, but I don’t take up a project just to pay up for a car or house. I don’t want to put myself in an awkward position wondering why I did it. I wouldn’t mind playing a glam doll or a fashionista provided the focus is on showcasing the part genuinely, and not used as a derogatory item with focus on the cleavage to titillate the audience. I will only do films that come from a genuine place with a honest-to-goodness message.”
While Tamil and Kannada cine goers know her as an award-winning actress, her image in Malayalam is largely that of a character artiste who forms an inevitable part of ensemble casts, yet leaving an indelible impression. She muses, “I choose characters that are an integral part of the story and to what I can add creatively as an artiste. Also, I can’t just hope to work only in lead roles. It limits the experience. It is also important to choose the right team, as they must be your allies in the process. My aim is to lose myself to the character I’m playing. The minute Parvathy comes to the fore, I’ve failed as an actress.”
Parvathy will play a prominent character in Kamal Haasan’s new film Uthama Villain. She has been signed to play Kanchanmala opposite Prithviraj, in a biopic titled Ennu Ninte Moideen, the real life story of Moideen and Kanchanamala. She has recently wrapped up the shoot of Anjali Menon’s Bangalore Days which boasts of an interesting ensemble cast that includes Fahadh Faasil, Dulquer Salman, Nivin Pauly, Nazriya, Nithya Menen and Isha Talwar.
She speaks enthusiastically about director Anjali Menon, “I bumped into Anjali at the airport and she told me she was about to call me for Bangalore Days. When she narrated the story I was already in it mentally, it was Anjali Menon after all. Besides, it was too appealing a combination to let go, what with people like Samir Thahir and Anwar Rasheed in the team. I had an opportunity to adapt differently to the style of work; hence as an actor it was a challenge, a very good one at that.” She refuses to divulge any further details about the film.
In this age of porcelain beauties with stock responses, Parvathy displays a reassuring lack of ego. Ask her if she hopes to reinstate herself in the industry, she gives a rather refreshingly real answer, “I’m not here to survive, I live cinema. With stardom comes an image that I cannot and do not want to handle. Hence, I chose not to have an ‘image’. I don’t build castles in my mind. It is simpler to direct my energy to my craft. The upsides of which are too good to ignore. By attempting to portray characters well, I grow to be a better person, become sensitive to others and gain fresher perspectives towards life.”
On a parting note she says, “I believe actors cannot confine their work to the stage or sets. They have to be an active participant of what is happening in the world and around them. The world is where they take from and create. That is where they must return their art to! I try to learn from everything that is creative and it pushes me to understand humanity better. I hope to get better at it as I go.”
