Interview | Jyotirmayi: I was Amal Neerad’s first and last choice for my character in Bougainvillea

Jyotirmayi makes a comeback in Amal Neerad's Bougainvillea, generating buzz with a stylish trailer song.

The first thing I notice about Jyotirmayi, as she opens the door to her house in Fort Kochi, is her warmth. We are meeting for the first time, but it feels like meeting an old friend. The actor makes her comeback to films after a decade-long hiatus in the much-awaited Bougainvillea, directed by Amal Neerad. 

Expectations ride high on the film as Amal’s last release Bheeshma Parvam was a blockbuster. The buzz around the film reached a fever pitch with the release of the stylishly shot trailer song ‘Sthuthi…’ featuring Jyotirmayi, Kunchacko Boban and the music director, Sushin Shyam.

The song with her edgy look with buzzed, salt-pepper hair and quick footwork, matching Kunchacko Boban’s stylish, energetic moves has garnered 4.4 million views since its release two weeks ago. With all the hallmarks of an Amal Neerad production, the song has introduced Jyotirmayi to a whole new generation, since she took a break from films in 2013.

Coincidentally, she is fondly remembered by another generation for another hit number from  2002, ‘Chingamaasam vannuchernaal…’ from Meesha Madhavan. In a career spanning more than a decade, The 41-year-old had acted in more than 40-odd films before she took a break during which she married Amal.

Edited excerpts from a chat with the actor.     

First off… I didn’t know when I would do a film, Amal and I were planning a project which we had to shelve. This project came along sometime later; as I said, this [Bougainvillaea] just happened. We did not deliberately plan it and come out with a script. I believe in destiny; Sometimes, we are destined to do certain things. I was a bit apprehensive about doing this performance-oriented character, particularly since I am returning [to films] after a decade; especially at a time when Malayalam cinema is in a good place where even non-Malayalis are also liking our films. I was anxious about doing it, but thanks to Amal Neerad for convincing me to do Bougainvillea. I was his first and last choice for the role and I am thankful to have got the role. 

Definitely, the name Amal Neerad. I have worked with him way before either of us got into films. People think our association started with Sagar Alias Jackyy but no, it precedes our arrival in the film industry. We had worked together on a few commercials earlier. I know him and am most comfortable with him. I asked him several times if I would be able to pull off the role. Then, I realised that if he had the faith that I would be able to do it then I would do it. Actors who have worked with Amal say that this about him: however complicated a role or an aspect of it may be, he tends to make it easy for the actor rather than making it hard. He has a knack for it…it was this faith and confidence in him that led me to take the plunge.