Being under the spotlight is nothing new for young Reba John. A model for various commercials and a runner up in a reality show, she wears her confidence like a second skin. Doing her post-graduation in Bengaluru, Reba was content juggling her various modelling assignments. Never in her wildest dreams did she envision herself acting in a film but call it luck or destiny, Reba will get to romance Nivin Pauly in Vineeth Sreenivasan’s Jacobinte Swargarajyam.
It was the reality show platform that had her besieged with a slew of modelling offers which she found easy as it required just a day’s work and one such modelling assignment had ad director-cum-actor Dinesh Prabhakaran suggesting the role in Jacobinte Swargarajyam.
“He mentioned that it was not a big role in terms of screen space but that it would be a good opportunity for a debut along with a good team. Of course, I was interested and all these factors made me sign up for the film.”
Added to that, it required fewer days which would not hamper her studies too much. Largely shot in Dubai, Reba spent 10 days there and cannot stop gushing about the cast and crew. Reba enthuses, “Initially I had that nervousness about being a newcomer and about how I would be treated but all my fears were completely unfounded. I felt totally comfortable and gelled with everyone and all my co-actors came to me and advised me not to be scared. Vineeth is so down to earth and he told me not to worry at all. I ended up making a whole new set of friends.”
Reba plays Chippi, who is Nivin’s love interest and a constant support in his life. Reba does not want to compromise on her studies and so is walking the tightrope balancing her studies and film assignments. She says, “I may not be doing too many films but would choose based on the team and the script. I am also doing commercials and I am open to everything but will have to be choosy because of my studies.”
Asked if she had a plan B other than films, Reba surprises, “Actually I want to teach and may be become a professor which is my long term aim! Acting just happened but I would be happy if I can carry on my profession and my vocation at the same time.”
The reality show platform was an important part of her life and she reveals, “I was not very comfortable speaking in Malayalam and for me to perform in Malayalam was a huge challenge. The show helped me improve my diction and I am proud of myself for that.”
