Thursday Oct 11 2007, Trivendrum

Bhama: Heroine introduced by Lohithadas

It is a blessing for any girl to be introduced into films by a director like Lohithadas.This gifted scenarist-director has introduced many a heroines to the larger-than-life screens of malayalam cinema.He has made it big in films and has gone places.Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Meeera Jasmine, Manya and now it is young Bhama who has been fortunate enough to get into the list of heroines introduced by Lohithadas.Bhama features in this director’s latest film Nivedhyam.

The young actress, who played the key role in Nivedhyam, is now on to her second film Cycle and if this clicks then this young girl hailing from Kottayam, could become one of the most sought-after actresses.Excerpts from an interview with this budding talent in the Malayalam cine industry.

Did you ever imagine that you would become an actress?

No.Never ever.Acting wasn’t there even in the remotest of my dreams.Coming into films was totally unexpected.It all just happened by God’s grace.Tell us how Nivedhyam happened to you?
I was hosting a matrimonial program called Thali on Surya TV.Lohithadas sir happened to notice me on television and made inquiries about me with the production people.When I came to know of it I couldn’t just believe my ears.

And when ultimately Lohithadas sir himself called me over phone, it was indeed a pleasant surprise.How was it, the experience in Nivedhyam working with Lohithadas?

To be frank, I was quite jittery when I reached the sets.But sir explained to me in detail about the character and encouraged and supported me a lot.I acted upon his instructions and that worked out well.It was truly a very different experience working in such a film, with such an experienced director.The unit itself was like one big family.After doing Nivedhyam, I have started loving cinema as never before.

The film developed in me a passion for cinema itself.So, how is life after Nivedhyam?

It’s a different life altogether.People around me now see me not as Bhama, but as Satyabhama, the character that I did in the film.

Isn’t it great to be identified by one’s character in the first film itself (wide eyed)? I am basking in the stardom as an actress, and people are showering on me their love as well as their blessings.It’s something indescribable.

That you have become an actress now what about your studies?

I have done my +2 and have now joined St.Teresa’s College in Ernakulam to do my graduation in Bharathanatyam.I intend to concentrate on that too, specially since I am studying something that I like and something that is intimately related to my profession as an actress.

Tell us about your character in Cycle, your next project.In Cycle, I am playing Annie a girl who has to face lots of problems in life.Annie, who couldn’t realize most of her dreams, now dreams for her brother and wishes that her dreams would be fulfilled through her brother.A very lovable kind of character indeed!

What are your ambitions and plans as an actress?

I don’t intend to keep doing films one after the other without bothering about the qualitative aspect.I will sign only those films that I feel like doing and I intend to do good films, which will endear me to the people around me.

I prefer being selective and love to be seen as someone close to them, like a member of their families.