The National Award winning actor is looking forward to projects like ‘Padma’ and ‘Jwalamukhi’ along with some other important roles.
When she won the National Award for Best Actor (Female) for minnaminungu (2016) Surbhi Lakshmi was ready to start a new phase in her career. But that didn’t happen at all. After four years down the line, things are finally looking up for the versatile actor.
ready for release Padma In which she plays the lead role. The film is about Padma and her husband, played by Anoop Menon, the film’s writer, director and producer. Hailing from a rural background, Padma has to adapt to a high-profile social life after marriage. There are some light moments when she goes through that lifestyle change. But there is more to the film as it also deals with a sensitive issue in a relationship,” says Surbhi, without divulging much about the story.
she adds that Padma came as a surprise. “I was never considered a bankable star. I have worked with Anoopatton In many films, starting with his first film, tirukkatha (2008). he called me Padma After seeing my photoshoot stills on my Instagram page. He probably took the risk because he is the writer, producer and director of the film,” she says.
reel vs real
Recently, he has won the Kerala Film Critics Award for his yet-to-be-released role Volcano, directed by Harikumar. “The film is based on the life of Selena Michael, a caretaker at a crematorium in Kochi. This is not her biopic, but my character Angel is based on Selena. The shooting was completed just before the first lockdown was announced and I spent a few days with her to understand and see what she does. She is one of the strongest women I have met. It was one of my toughest roles as an actor. I had to gain weight and some scenes were very difficult. By the time I finished shooting, I felt like I had lived his life,” says Surbhi over the phone from Kochi.
An accomplished theater artist, Surbhi’s first shot at fame was reality shows for actors, best Actor. Later, he endeared himself to television audiences with the affable character, Pathu, in the sitcom, M80 Moses, especially with his Kozhikode dialect. A recipient of the Kerala Sangeet Natak Akademi’s State Amateur Theater Award for Best Actress, Surabhi played the role of a widow. Minnaminungu, Which won its Special Jury Mention at the Kerala State Film Awards before the National Award. “I was not expecting any miracle after recognition. My close friend, actor-director Mustafa [director of Kappela]A National Award winner himself told me: ‘You shouldn’t expect anything bigger than this. The prize will only make you happy and within a few months you will realize that it means nothing. Since I heeded his words, I didn’t get too disappointed when I didn’t get concrete roles,” she adds.
star value
Surbhi talks about the lack of big banners in her filmography “It is a fact that I do not have the star value to market a film. After all, cinema is a business. But I could work towards being considered for good roles. Even after winning the award, I did all the films I liked, no matter how long my role was. Therefore, Padma There is a lottery for me and I am grateful that Anoop atton Found my Padma in me,” she adds.
Khais Milan Ki Hai in his upcoming release Thala, established in Chengalchula Colony in Thiruvananthapuram, by Farooq Abdul Rahiman poriveille with the Indras, and Anuradha Crime No. 59/2019, which also stars Indrajit and Anu Sithara. She will also be seen alongside Soubin Shahir, Dilish Pothan and Harish Kanran Kallan D’Souza Directed by Jeetu K Jaya.
“A challenging role was playing a speech and hearing challenged character of Jayaraj sir Avala. I had to undergo intense training for the film,” she adds. She will also appear in the director’s segment for a 10-film anthology based on the stories by MT Vasudevan Nair for Netflix. movie, Swargam Thurakkunna Samayami, stars Indran, Nedumudi Venu and Ranji Panicker.
Surbhi Lakshmi with Selena Michael, who works as a caretaker of a crematorium in Kochi. Surbhi played a character in her new film ‘Jwalamukhi’. photo Credit: special arrangement
“A good role is worth the wait. Sun atton (Suraj Venjaramoodu) once told me that only one role is needed to change destiny. Even though he had a National Award in his kitty, three years after winning the award, life changed for him, with a view that Action Hero Biju (2016). we have another example indrance animate Who has reinvented himself as an actor. So, I am always hopeful,” she adds.
He has learned to say no to films where he doesn’t have much to do. “I tell them that I’m fine to play a house maid or a prostitute, provided the film is about these characters,” she insists.
Meanwhile, she went in for “a makeover” during the lockdown. She hit the gym and became active on social media posting many pictures and videos. “I needed a change and the lockdown was the phase when I found time for myself,” she laughs.
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