PremiumSecret Home star Sshivada expresses her strong desire to have a bit more screen space in big projects | Exclusive
Actress Sshivada discusses her upcoming Malayalam movie Secret Home and her efforts to strike a work-life balance in an interview with OTTplay.
Sshivada | Photo: Ajmal Latheef
Last Updated: 11.15 AM, Mar 16, 2024
Sshivada is a highly regarded actress in the Malayalam industry, despite only starring in two or three films annually. The star has been featured in films that have been popular throughout the nation for the last ten years, not just in Kerala. This year, she has plans to revamp her career by playing a variety of roles in movies.
Sshivada discusses her upcoming Malayalam movie Secret Home and her efforts to strike a work-life balance in an interview with OTTplay.
How would you describe your character in Secret Home?
I am playing an IT specialist named Sariga in this movie, which will hit the big screen on March 22. The movie is a creative retelling of a true story. Usually, we base our opinions on one point of view, but this film examines every angle. Even though I am unable to tell you much about Sariga right now, I am able to assure you that this is a topic that has social significance. Upon hearing the story, my initial thought was that it was one of a kind.
The director of Secret Home mentioned that each character in the movie has a dark side. You might be unaccustomed to this kind of character, right?
In Tamil, I have portrayed characters with a hint of negativity; however, in Malayalam, I have primarily played wife roles. Yes, I have never done anything like this in Malayalam before. There is a darker side to every character in Secret Home. People would find that part interesting in this film.
Do you have a plan for the kinds of films you want to work on at this point in your career?
Such criteria do not exist! I make use of good and interesting offers. I consider whether I can connect with my character before accepting a script offer. I try to make an impression on the audience, even if it is just a small one. I barely work on two or three Malayalam and Tamil films a year. I try to spend as much time as possible with my family, so I refrain from making many films.
Most of the time, you play emotionally invested and driven wives, such as Meryl in Meri Awas Suno and Jayashree in Jawanum Mullapoovum. Do you think you are being classified as a certain type of character?
Of course! I do not believe there is such a problem in Tamil, but in Malayalam, I always get offered roles that are similar—wives who are emotionally invested and motivate their husbands to get past their problems. I just want to get out of it most of the time.
Perhaps it had something to do with the way I presented and carried myself. It appears that my appearance gave filmmakers an opportunity to stereotype me. But I think things are starting to change. Now that I have cut my hair short, perhaps people will start thinking differently about me!
Are you going to play Govardhan's wife again in L2 Empuraan?
You might want to ask the director, Prithviraj Sukumaran, about it, as I have no idea about it. Although I have not heard from him or his team yet, I sincerely hope they do!
Have you ever felt let down by the majority of your roles having little screen space in so many Malayalam films, particularly in major films like Lucifer and 2018?
Being a part of such large-scale and popular projects is always beneficial because it increases your visibility and reach. However, I had undoubtedly desired to have a little more room on the screen and performance space.
What are your upcoming projects?
My upcoming films include Vetrimaaran’s Garudan, starring Soori, Unni Mukundan, and Sasikumar in Tamil. Though I am playing a wife in this movie, it is something that I have never done before. I have also worked on a women-centric Tamil flick, and my project with SJ Suryah is also expected to release this year. There are two more works in Tamil that will be starting soon. In Malayalam, I am playing a small part in Anand Sreebala.