Although her entry into the big screen happened with a small budget film, what made her popular were the online trolls that named her Theppukaari Shahida — a character she played in the hit Happy Wedding. With her doe eyes and wide smile, Anu Sithara has won the hearts of moviegoers with her latest role as Malini in Ramante Eden Thottam.
The release of the film which has Kunchacko Boban in the lead changed everything overnight for Anu. “My phone hasn’t stopped ringing ever since the release. I am still excited about people pouring in their appreciation and love for Malini,” she says over the phone while travelling to the location of her next film Captain.
Lapsing into her experience with Ramante Eden Thottam, she says, “I am extremely happy about the response. I must say that Malini is so far the best I’ve got in my career. Receiving appreciation for the character and the entire movie is great.”
She credits the entire success to its director Ranjith Sankar. “Truth be told, it took me some time to understand Malini, who has a little too much philosophy,” she says.
“There was some distance between me and Malini. After Ranjith sir narrated the story, he handed over the whole script two weeks before the shoot and asked me to clarify if I had any doubts. He used to respond any time I contacted him with doubts. When I reached the location, each time he used to describe a scene, the distance between myself and Malini reduced and he made that journey lighter. Our cameraman Madhu chettan (Madhu Neelakantan) knew every character very well; he also helped a lot. It is their support that helped me pull off Malini well. I did not have to push myself too much because Malini is also a dancer like me but I had to put in some effort to understand that character’s mannerism and lifestyle.”
Anu remembers the comfort zone her co-stars had presented her. “Everyone was very free, no one created any kind of pressure, they gave consideration to the ‘new girl’ on the set and helped me take time and improve each shot, even Chackochan.” On sharing the screen with Kunchacko Boban, Anu says, “After having watched him in so many movies, I had an image about him. When I met him, I realised that it was just like how I had imagined; he is such a kind and simple person.”
Still from Ramante Eden Thottam
Achayans is another movie starring Anu that is releasing soon. Directed by Kannan Thamarakkulam, Achayans has an array of senior actors. Anu played the female lead along with Amala Paul. “I play the character Prayaga, a happy girl who finds excitement in everything she does. Amala’s character Rita is her friend. It was great to share screen with so many senior actors.”
Speaking about her ongoing project, Anu says, “Captain is based on the life of footballer V.P. Sathyan, played by Jayasurya. I play Anitha Sathyan, his wife. My next project is Sarvopari Palakkaran with Anoop Menon. I believe the shoot will begin next month or so.”
Anu had come into the industry with the movie Pottas Bomb. “My next movie was Sathyan sir’s (Sathyan Anthikad) Oru Indian Pranaya Kadha. Even though it was a small character, it was an important one. Then Happy Wedding happened. After that, I did Fukri, Achayans and now Ramante.”
Apart from acting, she runs a dance school Navarasam back home in Wayanad. Anu calls her husband fashion photographer Vishnu Prasad her support system. “When Ranjith sir narrated the story of Ramante and asked me if I can play Malini, I was sceptical but Vishnu ettan was sure I could pull it off and he is the one who responded first. It was his confidence that helped me play this character.”
