‘Love to work with Gautham Menon again’

Manjima Mohan, who made an impressive debut with Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (Sahasam Swasaga Sagipo in Telugu) is upbeat. She is as effervescent as she was in the film. She could not have asked for a better launchpad in Tamil — a film directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, Silambarasan as her co-star.

With her father Vipin Mohan being a versatile cinematographer, she’s not new to films. “Though the Malayalam movie Oru Vadakkan Selfie (2015) was my debut, I was open to doing films in all languages. I can understand Tamil since I studied in Chennai. I had a few issues only in Telugu. But I managed,” she smiles.

Manjima doesn’t discuss technical details of a film at home. “He always wanted me to pursue academics. In fact, he was shocked when I told him that I wanted to venture into movies,” she laughs, and adds, “Most of my friends are getting married, having babies, and starting new ventures, but for me, the release of the film is all those occasions put together.”

Currently, busy shooting for the Vikram Prabhu starrer Mudi Sooda Mannan, directed by Prabhakar, she tells us, “I can’t reveal anything about my character, but it’s different from Leela in AYM. I liked the story and accepted the offer after listening to the first half itself! Though I have been getting many offers, I want to take it slow. Quality of films is more important than a number.”

Predictably, she cannot stop gushing about Gautham Menon. “I grew up watching his films. I have always wanted to work with him. Initially, I was nervous, but he made me feel comfortable. No matter, how many films I do, AYM will always remain the best,” she adds.

Ask her how she was selected for the film, she grins, “I started my acting career knowing nothing. Director Vineeth Srinivasan had sent Gautham the trailer of Oru Vadakkan Selfie. When he called me, I was speechless. I auditioned for the role and was eventually selected.”

Manjima shares her experience working with Gautham and says he is a calm director and doesn’t lose his cool. “One of the best things about him is that he’s fun to be with, and pushes us to do better. If he calls me ‘Manju’ on the sets, which means, ‘everything is cool’. But, when he addresses me as ‘Manjima’, I know I need to become more serious. He gives space for actors to evolve and become the character. I’d love to work with him once again.”

(The piece was originally published for The New Indian Express)