From ‘Udaharanam Sujatha’ to ‘Rekhachithram’: Anaswara Rajan’s meteoric rise

With a string of back-to-back hits, Anaswara Rajan is swiftly carving a niche as Malayalam cinema’s new favourite leading lady. After delivering standout performances in last year’s blockbusters 'Abraham Ozler' and 'Guruvayur Ambalanadayil', she has now cemented her box office appeal with the 2025 release of 'Rekhachithram'. Her remarkable journey from a child actor to a celebrated heroine feels like a story unfolding in the blink of an eye.

Malayalam cinema has a proud tradition of nurturing actresses who began as child stars before blossoming into leading roles. Icons like Shobana and Urvashi paved the way, while Geethu Mohandas, Shalini, Shamili, Sanusha, Manjima Mohan, Nazriya Nazim, Anikha Surendran, and Esther Anil have all followed this path.

However, not every child star has successfully made the leap to stardom as a heroine. Anaswara Rajan is a shining exception, seamlessly excelling in both phases of her career. Her on-screen performances have been lauded and it’s her thoughtful and grounded off-screen persona that has further endeared her to audiences.

An actor who grows with her characters
What sets Anaswara Rajan apart from a host of heroines who began their journeys as child stars is her unique growth in stature with her characters. Starting her acting career as a Class 10 student, she seamlessly transitioned to playing Plus Two and college students, evolving naturally into leading roles.

Anaswara made her debut in 2017 with 'Udaharanam Sujatha', directed by Phantom Praveen. In the film, she portrayed Athira Krishnan, a Class 10 student and the daughter of Sujatha Krishnan, played by Manju Warrier. Her talent was unmistakable, and it didn’t take long for her to step into more prominent roles.

When 'Thanneer Mathan Dinangal' released two years later, Anaswara had been “promoted” to Plus Two, delivering a performance as vibrant as a report card full of A Pluses. Directed by Gireesh AD, the film became a massive hit and solidified her place in the industry.

In 'Vaanku', a movie helmed by Kavya Prakash and based on a story by Unni R, Anaswara played a college student at an Arts and Science College. The film earned critical acclaim, even receiving a special mention at the National Film Awards.

Her collaboration with Gireesh AD continued in 'Super Sharanya', where she stepped into the shoes of an engineering student after completing her Plus Two on-screen. Similarly, in 'Pranayavilasam' directed by Nikhil Murali, she once again captured hearts as a college-going girl. Then in 'Abraham Ozler', she took on the role of a medical student.
Another interesting aspect of Anaswara's career is her unique track record of being the leading lady in the debut films of several talented directors, including Phantom Praveen, Gireesh A.D., Kavya Prakash, and Nikhil Murali.

The flashback superstar
Flashback is a timeless storytelling technique that has been an integral part of cinema since its inception. Often, flashback scenes connect with viewers on a deeply emotional level, amplifying the impact of the narrative. Film-makers across genres -- be it action, romance, or comedy, frequently use flashbacks to enrich their stories. Given their pivotal role in shaping a film’s narrative, the casting of actors for flashback scenes is crucial. A miscast can disrupt the entire flow and emotional resonance of a movie.

In recent years, Anaswara Rajan has emerged as a favourite for directors seeking the perfect actor to bring flashback scenes to life. Her performances in films like 'Abraham Ozler', 'Pranayavilasam', and 'Rekhachithram' have been nothing short of stellar. In Pranayavilasam, she portrays the younger version of Anushree’s character. The film explores the romantic relationship between Anushree and Vinod (played by Hakkim Shah), which is revealed through entries in her personal diary that her husband and son discover after her death.

While Hakkim Shah portrays Vinod in both past and present timelines, the director chose to cast a different actor to embody the teenage version of Anushree. Anaswara justified this decision with a nuanced performance that beautifully captured the essence of Anushree’s college days, elevating the film’s emotional depth and leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

'Abraham Ozler', directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas, drew significant attention for Jayaram’s spectacular comeback and Mammootty’s riveting cameo as a villain. The film’s core narrative revolves around the love story of Alexander Joseph and Suja Jayadev, two medical students, and the tragic turn their lives take after Suja’s departure, leading Alexander to seek vengeance.

Mammootty plays the older Alexander Joseph, while Adam Sakhib portrays his teenage self, with Anaswara Rajan as his female companion, Suja.  While narrating this story,  the audience’s emotional connection to Alexander’s quest for vengeance relies on their belief in the profound love between Alexander and Suja, as well as the deep sorrow brought about by Suja’s departure.

Suja’s character tragically commits suicide, believing that Alexander, who was left motionless and amnesiac after a life-altering accident, would never recover. In the flashback sequences brimming with emotion, Adam and Anaswara deliver spellbinding performances that leave the audience captivated.

Anaswara’s ability to seamlessly blend with her co-actors elevates her combination scenes, making them deeply impactful. Her portrayal of Suja’s innocence, passion, and anguish adds a vital emotional layer to the film.

In 'Rekhachithram', Anaswara takes on the title role of Rekha Pathrose, a teenager with a deep love for cinema and dreams of becoming a film heroine. Her performance is nothing short of stellar, capturing Rekha’s passion for movies with remarkable authenticity.

The film tells the story of Rekha, who arrives on the shooting set of 'Kathodu Kathoram' movie with a heart full of dreams. Anaswara beautifully brings to life the unbridled excitement and passion of a teenager chasing her aspirations. Her performance in this movie indeed marks another milestone in her ever-rising career graph.

Bold and Beautiful
In just eight years, Anaswara Rajan has carved a niche for herself by portraying experimental, bold, and unconventional female characters. At just 22, she has proven her ability to convincingly play roles that exceed her age, earning admiration for her versatility.

When Kavya Prakash chose 'Vaanku', an award-winning short story by Unni R., for her directorial debut, it was a bold move to cast Anaswara in such a challenging role early in her career. The movie's plot, revolving around a young Muslim girl’s desire to call the Vaanku (the Islamic call to prayer),  had  already sparked both praise and controversy. But Anaswara’s nuanced performance stood out amidst the discourse.

In 'Mike', she took on another demanding role, portraying Sara Thomas, a teenager determined to undergo gender reassignment surgery after enduring abuse and observing the privileges of being male. Sara chooses "Mike" as her new identity, not due to gender dysphoria but as a reaction to her traumatic experiences and struggles. The character is layered with emotional turmoil, as Sara battles her decision and ultimately rediscovers her feminine identity through love.

Though the film faltered due to a weak screenplay, Anaswara’s portrayal of Sara in Mike was widely lauded. Even amidst the film's shortcomings, she succeeded in elevating the character with remarkable depth and authenticity.

In 'Neru', directed by Jeethu Joseph, Anaswara took on yet another powerful role, portraying a blind girl named Sara. The story follows Sara’s harrowing journey as a survivor of brutal rape, who uses her skill in sculpture to bring her assailant to justice. Despite enduring constant humiliation and immense psychological struggles during the trial, Sara’s unwavering fight for justice forms the heart of the narrative. Anaswara’s performance, filled with resilience and intensity, matched the calibre of superstar Mohanlal, who played the role of the lawyer representing her case.

Beyond her cinematic achievements, Anaswara is also known for her bold and thoughtful stances off-screen. She is unafraid to speak her mind and often responds to criticism and cyberattacks with a clarity and strength that reflect her grounded personality.