Actor Shanthi Krishna: I am happy that I could do justice to my role in ‘Nila’

actor shanthi krishna talks about her role in the malayalam movie nila which is getting rave reviews

Shanthi Krishna is basking in the appreciation coming her way for her role in Nila, the directorial debut of Thiruvananthapuram-based Indu Lakshmi. The two-time State film award winner, best known for her roles in films such as Nidra, Nayam Vyakthamaakkunnu, Chakoram, Savidham, Sukrutham, Vishnulokam, and Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela has once again proven that she is not just a pretty face.

In Nila, she plays Dr Malathi, a gritty gynaecologist in her 70s, with grace and conviction. Malathi may have retired from her profession but she has an active social life. She becomes bedridden due to a spinal injury and is being taken care of by her son, Mahi (Vineeth), her trusted helper, Rahman (Mamukkoya) and an unfriendly home nurse, Mini (Mini IG). While recuperating at her son’s new apartment, Malathi befriends Nila, a girl in the adjacent apartment without meeting her in person. But Malathi is not sure if Nila is real or a creation of her imagination. She is aware that all is not right with her memory.

In a telephonic interview, Shanthi Krishna talks about playing Malathi and her journey in Malayalam cinema. Excerpts:

I watched the movie in Kochi on the day of its release and the reactions were overwhelming. There were claps, some greeted me with folded hands, a few broke into tears and some wanted to hug me. I also became emotional; it felt like I had won the biggest award of my career. Such moments matter the most for an artiste.

Even though I got good roles after Njandukalude…, there came a point when the characters became repetitive, so I had to say no to many of them. I want the audience to remember my roles, irrespective of my screen time. Finally, I got Malathi, perhaps the best character of my career.

Incidentally, I went through a reel-like situation in real life after I finished Nila. My mother fell and had to undergo surgery. Then she had a stroke and was bedridden. She started walking only because of her willpower and medication. It was like watching what I did on screen. Also, the home nurse she had was more or less like the one in Nila!

I am 59 and Indu was not sure if I would do an aged character. But I was excited about the role because age has never been an issue for me in my career. I was in my late 20s when I essayed characters much older than me in films such as Savidham,Chakoram, and Chenkol. It would have been my loss had I refused Dr Malathi. I thank Indu for giving me such an amazing character. I am happy that I could do justice to the role.