As actress Vimala Raman makes a foray back into the Malayalam film industry after a hiatus, we catch up with her to learn about her journey from Down Under to the God’s Own Country.
On the bay at The Waterfront Granary Museum Hotel in Mattancherry, Kochi, we met Vimala Raman sitting cross-legged and smiling, with no care in the world for the notorious heat waves this summer. Her smile accentuated her features, enhancing her chiselled cheeks and metalpiercing sharpness of her eyes.
Her tone was as pleasant as her appearance, letting the interview fall into a relaxed and friendly chit-chat mood. Thus began the story of a young girl of Indian origin, and IT degree holder from Australia, landing in Chennai with the goal of becoming an actress.
How did cinema happen? What fuelled your interest in acting?
People have suspected that I always wanted to be an actress because I was involved with so many activities outside the classroom, during my school days Australia. I started learning Bharatnatyam when I was four, and also carnatic music and was a part of my school choir too, for six years. I took an interest in theatre as well. I was always involved in extracurricular activities but it was never a conscious path that I took towards cinema.
Usually, Indians who are born and/or raised abroad receive a cultural shock on their return to the country. Did you face any?
Fortunately, I had parents who made it a point to inculcate a good deal of Indian culture and values in us even as we grew up in Australia. From a young age, I understood what it meant to be an Indian. And moreover, we watched many Indian movies, mostly Tamil, regularly. Even as a child, I could converse fluently in both Tamil and Kannada. So you could say that I had the best of both worlds. But yes, moving to India was no cakewalk. For someone who had spent all her time Down Under, in Sydney, I faced some problems despite that. To know it is one thing and to live it as your daily reality is another thing, I soon discovered. But I still have my connections to the East to be thankful for, and not be shocked, with India. Hence, I didn’t at any point find it necessary to change myself dramatically to be comfortable in India; and that I think was an achievement in itself.
And, was there anything about India that was pleasantly surprising?
India is seen as chaotic and disorganised, yet in some strange way it is synchronised and has its balance. Here, I see everyone move in cooperation with each other, consciously or inadvertently. I think that talks a lot about the Indian culture as well. A simple example is traffic here, we Indians go through all the toughness, all the congestion of it, yet move forward. This is simple yet symbolic.
You shifted not just continents, but also your profession. How did that feel?
From being an IT graduate and working in Australia, to becoming an actress and living in India, it was a major transition. Honestly, the first year and a half was painful. It took me a while to get used to a lot of things, especially the way the industry works. It took me some time to learn and absorb a few things here. But once done, it changed my mindset and life became a lot easier.
What’s your opinion about social media as a platform for celebrity branding?
I am not too active in social media. But honestly, I think there is nothing wrong with using social media as a public relations tool. And it’s not just actors or artists, everyone on a social network is propagating and promoting themselves on a daily basis. It could be the most mundane of things like ‘I had that for lunch’, but the idea is always about being visible or relevant. And I don’t see any harm in it. In this highly competitive world, with billions of people, social media is a great platform to be heard and seen.
Tell us about your character in your next movie Oppam? Is there anything that determines your choice in movies in general?
I think if you look at my career graph, you notice that I have tried to stay away from being stereotyped as much as possible. I have always wanted to try different genres of acting, with different plots. And I have been successful there to some extent, having done horror, thrillers and mystery. I like to have variety happening and the truth is that commercial masala also lends some variety.
I have been wanting to get back into Malayalam cinema after a long gap. So when Oppam came along, I grabbed it with both hands. Apart from it being a Priyadarshan movie, the subject was very compelling too. I am sure that
it will have the audience at the edge of their seats and I am totally excited about it.
What differences have you observed between film industries of the south, and what do you like about each?
Indian artists are at an advantage that way, I believe, as we have the chance to work in so many industries with so many great actors, directors and technicians in each of them. I am lucky to have been able to work in six different industries. Working in an industry is also about the learning the culture of that place. When I play a role in a Malayalam movie, I know what it feels to be a Malayali. Working on the sets of a Malayalam movie is a unique experience as you spend more time on the sets interacting, having fun with your co-artists and technicians, unlike in the other industries where you spend more time within the confines of your caravan. But like I said, every industry has its own very distinct character and is special for that
What is your fashion mantra?
Fashion and I have always got along really well, ever since I was young. As long as I can remember, I have always been fussy about how I looked and what I wore. Even if it was just my mom’s old salwar, I was particular that it looked good on me. My fashion statement would be class and elegance, with a touch of sportiness. These days, off-screen I am a jeans and t-shirt person with occasional dresses and jackets. To me, fashion is not just about the clothes but about the person as a package. It doesn’t have to be a million dollar dress, if you know how to carry it off, even a ten dollar dress can look like a million bucks. It may sound clichéd, but it finally boils down to feeling comfortable and confident.
Do you like travelling? Can you share with us what you love doing or the places you love travelling to?
Yes, I love travelling. Every year I try to visit at least one new country. And I have been doing it even if it’s in between the shoots because travelling has taught me many things. When you travel you pick up so many things and are exposed to the world. You start realising that there could be more to life, than what you see with your limited perception.
Model:Vimala Raman
Child Models: Annah and Zoya
Photographer: Jinson Abraham
Styling: Lakshmi Babu
Makeup & Hair Styling: Shalu George
Costumes: Lulu Fashion Store
Retouch: Jemini Ghosh
Location: The Waterfront Granary Museum Hotel, Mattancherry
Production: FWD Media
Special Thanks: Metro and Addons, LuLu Mall, Kochi