Reema Kalingal, who will be seen in Aashiq Abu’s directorial Neelavelicham, says she doesn’t like the “brave girl” image and adds that this is why she loves playing Bhargavi, the tragic lover in the film based on Vaikom’s work Muhammad Bashir. In an exclusive interview with Onmanorama, Reema talks about the upcoming film, why she thinks Roshan, who plays her lover Sasikumar in ‘Neelavelicham’, is one of the most interesting actors of his generation and how controversy has helped her become a more sensitive artist and person.
Tell us about the challenges you faced while working on this film?
Basheer, Vincent and Babuka are legends who paved the way for how we see Malayalam cinema today. I know there were quite a few filmmakers who wanted to reimagine or remake ‘Bhargavi Nilayam’. Two other legends – writer MT Vasudevan Nair and screenwriter John Paul – also had a dream to make this film from a different perspective. It didn’t work out and it was John Paul who introduced Aashiq to GoodKnight Mohan and one thing led to another. So yes, the film had its challenges. Bashir is every Malayali’s writer and there was no room for him to go wrong. We had to ensure that we didn’t disappoint a whole generation of movie buffs and people who have a huge respect for his literature.
So why are you calling ‘Neelavelicham’ a reimagining of Bhargavi Nilayam and not a remake?
We didn’t copy the film frame by frame. Instead, we also borrowed from other Basheer texts to add more detail to the characters. That’s one thing about Basheer. He draws most of his characters from everyday life and you can see some of it in every other piece of his work. So, we borrowed those traits and previous stories in this film. We approached this film comprehensively. Hence ‘Neelavelicham’ is a tribute to Basheer.
Tell us about working with your co-actors – Tovino, Shine and Roshan?
I didn’t have many direct scenes with Tovino in this movie, but if you notice, he had an hour completely to himself. He was acting alone, and as an actor I know how hard it is to act alone when you don’t have another actor to bounce your energy off of. I have worked with Roshan in many serials and he is one of the most interesting characters of this generation. There is a soft vulnerable side to Sasikumar that Roshan has portrayed well. He has surprised me more than once. I know Shine from the time I knew Aashiq. I have seen him grow into an actor who is super confident. However, we had to find some middle ground in some of the fight scenes because he’s this bundle of energy and he wanted me to really hit him (laughs).
You’ve had an interesting career so far, with some controversy in between…
I’d like to think I’m way ahead of my time (laughs). NO, I’m kidding. Rather, I like to think that I try to constantly develop and advance in my professional and personal circles. I always want to move forward, I hate being redundant. I know I’m in a privileged position and I don’t expect people who are going through different issues in their lives to agree with anything I say. But I also believe that as a human being, a public and personal figure, I have the right to express who I am.
Did you expect such criticism for some of your statements?
I didn’t expect such a tirade. I think the internet amplifies everything to such a level. I think I was more hurt that people related to me were hurt. You want to move forward in life and these debates and conversations take up a lot of time. I could read a book or learn to cook or do something else during that period (laughs). However, it’s a process I’ve also enjoyed. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt. I felt cornered. It made me more sensitive, a better person and artist. I think success and happiness don’t make you who you are, only failure makes you who you are.
Do you want to direct a movie one day?
I like the confidence that comes to me. I think I’m happy that you think I can do it. However, I am not finished as a performer, which is what I dreamed of. There are artists who do everything, write the script, act, direct. I don’t think women are given that space yet. I would like to live in a time when women in their 40s, 50s or 60s do action roles in Mollywood and people end up not being surprised. I see Kerala as one of the most progressive societies in the world.
Say you’re sick of bold images in movies?
Yes, because I feel that after a while it became very performative for me. This is why I loved Bhargavi, for all her bravery, she was also vulnerable. She is so representative of every woman I have met. I could feel it when I was speaking her dialogues. Anyone would go through the emotions that Bhargavi felt in this film. Also, she had this very soft, feminine space that she held onto, but she also had the power.
How do you feel about all this body positivity talk now?
I still remember the conversation after Kareena Kapoor was suddenly zeroed in on a role, while on the other hand Aishwarya Rai was shamed right after the trailer of Ponniyin Selvan was released. Women are seen primarily as a body. It affects me and puts a lot of pressure on me as an artist and a dancer. I think the whole perception of a perfect body is so limiting for women.
Remya Nambeesan had recently said that she feels less opportunities coming from Mollywood because of her stand on some issues?
This was an issue with everyone in the WCC (who voiced their opinions on various issues). Many of us have lost many opportunities and livelihoods. Acting is our bread and butter and there is nothing else to do. That’s why actresses these days have parallel careers or businesses. You realize you can’t rely on just one industry. It’s a fickle industry.
People think artists are brave…
We don’t want to be brave. We just want to make our art. Give us a sentient world and it will be easy for all of us.