Crossing borders

Malayalis have seen many child actors grow up in front of their eyes to become successful actors. Sanusha, who is still remembered for her solid performances as a child actor, is one of them. She has matured as an actor and her performance has improved with each movie, so much so that it was not a surprise for the audience when they saw her in a bold avatar in Zachariyude Garbhinikal, playing a pregnant teen who refuses to abort her illegitimate child. The actor has made a mark in Tamil and Telugu movies as well.

 However, despite having a strong base in Malayalam cinema, Sanusha doesn’t have many movies to her credit. She says she has not gone anywhere, and has a convincing answer. “I was always associated with Malayalam movies. It’s just that I am adamant about the quality of the roles I take up. I am a familiar face to the Malayali audience, but I do not want to do movies for the sake of it and just to be in the limelight. I am sure that they will give me the same amount of love even if I do movies occasionally, provided it is a good role. I have never felt the need to keep on doing movies, especially Malayalam movies, because I want my audience to say ‘Sanusha has lived up to our expectations’, every time they leave the theatre after watching my movies,” she says. She adds that the two-year break was an intentional one, during which she was busy with her studies.

Asked about her upcoming movies, Sanusha gets vocal. She says, “I have now decided to concentrate on movies alone. I am reading scripts in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. As of now, it’s a Telugu movie that will release next. However, Malayalam is definitely my first priority and I will not miss a chance to accept an offer which excites me and gives me a feeling that it is meant for me.”

Sanusha is of the opinion that the expectations of the audience make an actor feel more responsible towards the kind of work he/she is doing, precisely because the audience easily get disappointed and it is very difficult to regain their love and support. The actor says she would love to become part of the movies that propagate a social cause and have fresh ideas. “Being a part of the Malayalam film industry for a long time, I feel that this is one of the most crucial times for Malayalam cinema because it is evolving at a good pace. The clichéd scripts have given way to new and fresh ideas, making it challenging for the actors as well. Nowadays, filmmakers do proper research about the subject as to how the audiences will react to it. Therefore, it is important that the actors, too, give convincing performances.”

Commenting on the changes that the actor in her has undergone, Sanusha says that being in the industry for all these years has taught her how to approach a movie in a professional manner, irrespective of the duration of the role one is handling in that particular movie. “It doesn’t require a full-length role for the actor to get applauds. Even if it is a small one, it depends on how much hard work he/she puts in to make that character the best. If an actor is willing to work hard, without any inhibitions, success is definite.”

Sanusha adds that her brother Sanoop, who is younger to her, is a perfect example she can quote for the same. “I was really surprised to see the amount of hard work he puts in even while dubbing for a movie. He actually enacts the scene again while he is dubbing as he feels it provides life to the character, and that sitting on a chair and just paying attention to the lip sync will ruin its essence. I was really happy to see the amount of dedication he has. I am glad I belong to an era where actors are actually passionate about cinema and are ready to strive hard to carve a niche of their own. I don’t want to be left behind. I strongly believe that I am on the right track,” she concludes.