Aiswarya Raj’s villainous debut in ‘Officer on Duty’ wins over audiences

'Officer on Duty,' starring Kunchacko Boban in the lead role, is enjoying a spectacular theatrical run, earning rave reviews from both audiences and critics alike. Meanwhile, the actors who portrayed the gang of villains in the film are receiving widespread praise for their stellar performances.

Debutant Aiswarya Raj, who played Anna, a medical student and violent drug addict, delivered a compelling performance. Viewers were captivated by her piercing eyes, curly hair, and menacing body language. Aiswarya, who holds a master’s degree in journalism, landed the role in 'Officer on Duty' through an audition. She and her fellow actors have been receiving loud applause and words of encouragement everywhere they go for the movie’s promotions.

A dream debut
Aiswarya had previously acted in school and college plays, winning the Best Actress award at the district level. She also gained experience through short films as part of her journalism coursework.

"I had a fabulous experience acting in my debut movie. I’m ecstatic that my first film became a huge hit. I’d love to continue acting if I get good roles and projects," she shares.

Landing the role
She was pursuing her postgraduate studies in journalism when she came across the audition call for 'Officer on Duty.'
"The selection process happened in two or three phases. Later, when Leya joined, we were asked to do a few combination scenes. After we were selected, we worked with the crew for almost a year. The team narrated my character to me and explained that I would be playing one of the villains," she recalls.

Preparing for the role
"I wasn’t nervous when I faced the camera for the first time. I tried to stay confident because I love acting. The crew was excellent—so supportive and encouraging. No one treated us as newcomers; everyone was friendly. However, I was a bit concerned about whether I’d be able to pull off this intense negative role that had a significant impact on the film.

We did extensive preparation, and I received help from everyone on set. I watched a lot of movies for reference, mostly thrillers, after being chosen for the role. The director also gave us references. Since our characters were drug addicts, we watched interviews of people with similar experiences. We noticed that different drugs resulted in different mannerisms. So, we closely observed and studied their body language.

Our characters didn’t have too many dialogues, so we had to rely on expressions and body language to convey a constant sense of looming violence. Seeing the audience's response, I believe I managed to do justice to the role," she states.

Giving credit where it’s due
Aiswarya credits the film’s director, Jithu Ashraf, for shaping her performance.
"Jithu sir is an incredible performer himself. He meticulously explained even the smallest details to get convincing performances from us. He knows exactly what he wants and ensures we deliver it. If my character turned out well, the credit goes to him. He was very supportive and friendly," she remarks.

Sharing the screen with Kunchacko Boban
Although Aiswarya didn’t have too many scenes with Kunchacko Boban, their car chase sequence is being hailed as one of the best in the film. The scene was shot over four days in Bengaluru and later in Panampilly Nagar.

"Kunchacko Boban is a fun-loving person who doesn’t carry the airs of a big star. Acting alongside him was easy because he’s so friendly and never makes us feel pressured. I was a bit tense while filming the chase scene because my character had to try to hit him with a car. I was nervous about making a mistake. But he lightened the mood with jokes. During the scene, he playfully said, ‘Please don’t kill me, I have a son!’

I had only learned to drive a month before the shoot, so I was scared. But I mustered the courage to do it flawlessly. Thankfully, we completed the scene without any issues," she recalls.

The villainous gang’s strong bond
Aiswarya shares a great rapport with her fellow actors Vishak Nair, Leya, Amit Eepan, Vishnu G. Warrier, and Ramzan.
"Vishak helped us a lot; he’s nothing like his character in the film. He’s incredibly talented. When we first walked onto the set, we barely knew anything, and he patiently explained everything to us. All of us performed well because he was there to guide us. I played his pair in the film, and our gang was able to create amazing chemistry because we bonded so quickly.
Everyone on set was warm and welcoming—from the producers to the crew members. It felt like being part of a close-knit family," she says.

An emotional moment
Despite being confident in the film’s quality, the team was overwhelmed by its massive success.
"We knew that a movie made by the team behind ‘Nayattu’ and ‘Iratta’ would be great, but we never expected such a phenomenal response
I must applaud the technical team. Editor Chaman Chacko did a fantastic job—even the scenes I thought I had messed up turned out well after editing. Watching the final film was an emotional experience for everyone, especially since this was Jithu sir’s directorial debut," she adds.

Transformation for the role
Aiswarya, who attended the audition wearing a salwar, looked entirely different in the film. Her striking makeover was done by makeup artist Ronex Xaviour and costume designer Sameera Saneesh.

Many have asked whether she wore coloured contact lenses, but she insists, "The colour of my eyes is real."
Her unique hairstyle and edgy outfits played a crucial role in shaping her character.
"We naturally transformed into our roles once we wore our costumes. The look gave us the attitude and swag needed for our characters. When I saw myself in the mirror dressed as Anna, I felt like a completely different person. That transformation helped me portray the character better," she explains.

Overwhelming response
Aiswarya’s family consists of her parents and an elder sister, who has a baby. She took her time before revealing the nature of her role to them.
"I had only mentioned that my character was negative, but they appreciated my performance after watching the film. Everyone was so happy, including my relatives and neighbours, who shared positive feedback.
Now, old friends are reaching out, messaging me on Instagram, and calling me a star. I’m thrilled to be experiencing such a wonderful phase in my life.
Priyamani ma’am praised our performances, which was a huge moment for me. Mamitha Baiju and Jofin sir, the director of ‘Rekhachithram,’ also sent me messages. We’re all enjoying this incredible journey," she signs off.