Young actress Anarkali Marikar is someone who speaks up her mind without a second thought. There aren’t many actresses in Malayalam cinema who doesn't mind admitting that they havn’t been offered many chances. Anarkali opens up to Onmanorama about her roles and her views on life and career.
Do you deliberately limit the number of movies?
It definitely is not my intention to do less number of movies. I did 'Vimanam' after 'Anandam'. However, 'Vimanam' got a bit delayed. Meanwhile I did another film called 'Amala'. Unfortunately that movie too got delayed. I have not been offered lots of movies. But whatever came my way were all good roles. My latest 'Mandaram' is amazing.
What about your character in 'Anandam' who talks little?
When everyone else who shared screen with me had dialogues, I too had wished to say a dialogue. Other artistes in 'Anandam' had training sessions together, but I was not a part of them as my character didn’t have to mouth any dialogue. When I reached the sets one day, I found all of them making so much noise and having fun. I prefer to keep quiet. However, everything turned out fine when all of us became friends. I only felt as if I had been to a college tour, when we wrapped up 'Anandam'.
Is cinema or studies your priority?
It is very difficult to manage films and studies together. I can manage either one of it at a time. When I did movies, I couldn’t do well in my studies, and it indeed affected my scores as well. I am not an academically brilliant. I was really close to my friends. I had a great time at college and really enjoyed the three years that I spent there. I have taken a year’s gap now before pursuing my higher studies.
Did you have any harrowing experience on the sets?
To a great extent women in cinema are not safe. However, I don’t think the young generation is severely affected. Personally I haven’t had any unpleasant experiences until now, barring a few minor issues which I have managed. I think we should be careful not to allow too much freedom to strangers around us. Women in every field have their own share of problems, and maybe it is a bit serious in the films. We have to overcome all these. It is important how we deal with these problems.
What are your beauty ideals?
I like bob hairdos. I have grown my hair at least this long for the fear of losing roles. I have always preferred short bobs. I am wearing spectacles because I have short sight. I think I look good with spectacles on.
Would you mind donning glamorous attires or acting in kissing scenes?
I have no problem in essaying glamorous roles. I am not someone who covers myself up too much. Even my dressing style reflects my personality. If I am offered such a role, then I would try to shed my body weight first, because if I wear glamorous outfits now it wouldn’t really look good or appealing. I am fine with kissing scenes. I don’t know whether my parents would have a problem. But I surely wouldn’t have.
Is cinema your greatest passion?
No, it is not. I have no intention to stay forever in the movies. I would really like to essay good roles in amazing movies. But my life is not completely dependent on cinema. I don’t think that my life would be over if I am not offered movies. If good roles are offered I would perform it in the best way I can. If movies come my way, it’s well and good. Anyway, I am not ready to go to any extent to stay in the industry.
Do you try to control what you say?
I am someone who likes to speak freely. But later I would wonder whether I had crossed the limit. Though I speak openly, I haven’t faced any problems until now.
Do you have friends from the cinema industry?
I don’t have many friends from the cinema industry. In fact I am not very keen to form such friendships. I am shy to speak to people in the industry. I won’t go to people and talk lest they think that I am trying to be friendly to gain opportunities.
What would you do if you fall in love with someone?
Initially I would try to hide it from that person, and then slowly begin a friendship to see whether he too notices me. If nothing happens, then I would openly tell, ‘I have feelings for you’. I have done that.
