From Neelathamara to Mummy & Me

She is just a film old but Archana Kavi has become quite a hit with the Malayali audiences ever since her film, Neelathamara, scripted by M T Vasudevan Nair and directed by Lal Jose, hit the screens.

She played a maid working in a traditional household who soon falls in love with a member of the family.

Archana is working on her second film now, Mummy & Me, directed by Jithu Joseph. The film talks about a tumultuous relationship between a teenage daughter and her mother. She feels that every girl will have the stubborn nature of her character, Jewel, at a particular phase in their life.

Archana talks exclusively to Meghna George about her films, dreams and more. Excerpts:

When did you decide to try your luck in films as an actor?

I was born and brought up in Delhi and had no plans of becoming an actor. I always believe that one needs to have great luck to become an actor and even more, to find acceptance as one. When the chance to meet director Lal Jose happened, I was really excited.

When he told the basic theme of Neelathamara, I was okay with it. Then he told me that it was a love story. I said, okay, good. Then he said, the story is set in the 1970s, I again said okay. But I was surprised when he told me that it was the role of a maid that he wanted me to play.

Neelathamara was more like a gurukulam for me and in that sense; Mummy & Me is my first big challenge.

How was it working with a big and experienced star cast in Mummy & Me after Neelathamara, which had a fresh cast?

We were shooting the climax scene first, and I reached the set with a certain mindset. I was feeling that with such an experienced cast, I would be neglected. But things happened in a totally different way and everyone was there to lend a helping hand. Senior stars like Mukesh explained things to me if I went wrong. I was appreciated when I did things well. I had the warmth of the Neelathamara-days back and I felt totally relaxed and comfortable.

What were the biggest compliments that you got for your performance in Neelathamara?

After watching me do the role, director Lal Jose asked me if I was a maid in my earlier janmam and it was indeed a great compliment. He also told me that MT Vasudevan Nair sir told him that I had performed, even beyond what he had in his mind while writing it. That was an amazing moment for me as he is a true legend.

I had gone to the theatre with my family for the first show and we could barely enjoy the movie, as the viewers were aware about my presence and started crowding. I went with my dad the following day and after the show was over, he told me "good job" and I was thrilled.

What are your future plans?

I think I will be able to decide about my future plans only after receiving the response to Mummy & Me. This character is perhaps just the opposite of Kunjimalu, my character in Neelathamara. I am looking forward to the way my character is going to be accepted now.

Do you have any favourite characters in mind, which you want to do?

I never imagined that I would play a character like Kunjimalu even in my wildest dreams. Then, when the character of Jewel was narrated to me, I thought it was an easy one for me. It was when I started doing it that I realized how complex it was. So my perceptions have changed and so have my concepts about my favourite characters. All I can say is that I want to do some characters which others find tough to play.

Who is the heroine that you consider as your idol?

Since I was in Delhi, I haven't watched too many Malayalam movies in the theatres, but have watched lots of Malayalam movies on TV. I love Manju Warrier a lot. I think all the actors have their own styles.

Regarding your question, I would say that Madhuri Dixit is a complete actor who has done every kind of role.

How is the real Archana Kavi like, off the camera?

Oh, I think I am more like a Kunjimalu in a jeans and a top [laughs]. Though I have lived most of my life in Delhi, I had never gone away from my roots. We always spoke in Malayalam back home and spent all our vacations in Kerala.