Darshana Rajendran on switching from hits like Hridayam to Paradise, collaborating with Roshan Mathew and more | Exclusive

With the charming Hridayam and the stellar Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, Darshana Rajendran announced her arrival in the space of Malayalam entertainers. But that didn’t restrict the Malayalam actress from exploring more nuanced portrayals in films such as Purusha Pretham and Paradise. But in all of these movies, Darshana’s characters have a strong voice and stay assertive even when the odds are stacked against her.

Paradise, especially, which also stars Roshan Mathew, is more a poignant exploration of the Indian woman Amritha, who while on a visit to the crisis-hit Sri Lanka with her husband does the unthinkable in a hapless situation. In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Darshana Rajendran looks back at the portrayal of Amritha,switching from hits like Hridayam to the poignant movies such as Paradise, collaborating with Roshan Mathew frequently, her upcoming projects and more.

Darshana Rajendran on Paradise

In the 2023 film Paradise, helmed by Prasanna Vithanage, Amritha and Keshav visit Sri Lanka to celebrate their anniversary. Speaking about her character Amritha in Paradise, Darshana said that it was a great experience playing the role.

"For me, she was very quiet and a blunt person. You are not hearing too much of what she has to say, but that doesn't mean that she didn't have many things to say. For me, that was the most exciting part to communicate all that she wanted to say without saying it too much, that's one of the first things that got me excited to play Amritha,” she explained.

Also read: Paradise Review – Prasanna Vithanage follows a couple entangled in conflicts to examine Sri Lanka's socioeconomic landscape 

From Hridayam to Paradise

The actress played ‘Darshana’ in Pranav Mohanlal’s Hridayam, where she is seen mostly as a college sweetheart. Asked about choosing between the vastly different worlds of Paradise and Hridayam, Darshana said, “I don't have any rule book that these are things I should do, I shouldn't do. Like just after Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey and Hridayam and because these were hits, I was expected to be in that world to make more of it. But I don't know how to think like that. Right after that, Purusha Pretham came, even the makers who approached me were certain that I would say no as actors are expected to have one sort of a journey.”

“But I never kept those as my markers, I just go with any character that excites me at that point, that draws me whether it is a play, commercial film, short films or Indie films. That's why I am getting to do all of it, including theatres. Those are both characters that I am really excited to be part of. Just the processes are so different and what it requires of me. For me that's the only way I grow, learn more and put myself in different worlds. And I really enjoy that,” she added.

Darshana on collaborating with Roshan Mathew

Darshana has also frequently collaborated with Roshan Mathew on movies and plays, and she also acted in the recent play Bye Bye Bypass, which was directed by her Paradise co-star. About being his co-actor in films to being directed by Roshan in a play, Darshana says, “He is one of my long-time collaborators, we have known each other for a really long time. We have sort of grown up together, found cinema and acting. He is someone who makes me feel like I am not doing this alone. He is somebody who has known and watched everything I have done, and given specific feedback to me. I go to him after a film, and make sure he tells me if there was something off. You keep those people close.

“Even as a director, he is a great director to work with. He is somebody who has the maturity to step back as an actor. If there is a problem that an actor is facing, he knows how to let the actor find the answer on their own. I have really enjoyed working in all capacities with someone like him. We are people always collaborating. He is one of those treasures I hold close.”

Darshana on her upcoming projects

Darshana’s one of the most anticipated projects is Mahesh Narayanan’s film, which stars the who’s who of the Malayalam industry. Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, to Kunchacko Boban are part of this film, titled Patriot . Darshana said that she has a few more days of shoot left for Patriot. "Then there is a Tamil film called Love Kaveri. The shoot is over, and it will be out soon. There is also this Telugu film Paradha, also starring Anupama Parameswaran, that would be releasing soon. I also have a play, Under the Mangosteen Tree, that I am excited about. There is also Bye Bye Byepass, which we are travelling with. Also, the Krishand series Sambhava Vivaranam Naalara Sangham," she signed off.