He’d say ‘sorry mole, let’s go once more': Aarsha on working with Mohanlal in 'Thudarum'

As 'Thudarum' continues its record-shattering run at the box office, one of the film’s most unexpected elements, George Sir’s daughter Mary, is now in the spotlight. The character, portrayed by actress Aarsha, was kept a secret right up until the day of release.

Aarsha, who rose to prominence through the web series 'Average Ambili' and made her film debut in Pathinettam Padi, had already impressed audiences with her grey-shaded role in 'Mukundanunni Associates'. In 'Thudarum', she plays Mary — a relatively small but emotionally significant character who’s become a talking point.
With the film’s massive success, Aarsha shared her excitement with Manorama Online, expressing the joy of acting alongside icons like Mohanlal. “It feels like a dream come true,” she said.

The real-life inspiration behind Mary
Aarsha revealed that her character was rooted in a real-life tragedy. “Director Tharun initially gave me a reference — the honour killing of Kevin in Kerala. Kevin’s love story with Neenu and the heartbreaking outcome deeply impacted the state.”
“The team had that case in mind while writing the script. Tharun chettan even recommended that I watch some YouTube videos and documentaries on the incident. But I couldn’t bring myself to watch the funeral footage. I’m a very emotional person,” she said.

“Though Mary had limited screen time, she carried the soul of the film. From the moment I heard the narration, I felt connected. I approached the role with Kevin and Neenu’s story in mind. Just thinking about Neenu brings tears to my eyes. After that, I didn’t need any external push to cry.”

He does what even an AD would: Working with Mohanlal
Aarsha had previously shared a frame with Mohanlal back in 2019, during a promotional event for 'Ittymaani: Made in China'. At the time, she had just wrapped up 'Pathinettam Padi'. “To grow up watching Lalettan and then act with him — it’s surreal,” she said.

“I’m usually quite calm on sets, but when I saw both Lalettan and Shobana ma’am in person, I was honestly starstruck. What surprised me most was Lalettan’s humility. People often say he’s down to earth — and it’s absolutely true. He moves with such care, like he wouldn’t even hurt a blade of grass.”

“Though I didn’t have many scenes, the ones I had were with him. Even if I was standing far away, he’d gently say, ‘Mole, the frame is tight, please move a little.’ That’s something an assistant director usually handles, but Lalettan notices those details too.”
“He wouldn’t rest until the shot felt just right. If a retake was needed, he’d apologize — ‘Sorry mole, let’s go one more time.’ He didn’t have to say it, but he always did. It speaks volumes about his professionalism.”

He asked if it hurt after every take: On working with Prakash Varma
Aarsha also spoke highly of Prakash Varma, known for his iconic commercials, including a famous one featuring Shah Rukh Khan. “I always wondered why someone so talented hadn’t directed a film sooner. He has such a cool, composed presence.”
Recalling an intense action scene, she said, “In one sequence, he had to grab me by the neck and slam me into a stand, which was supposed to collapse. But initially, the stand didn’t break and I ended up hitting my head several times.”

“After every take, he’d ask, ‘Mole, did it hurt? Did your chin hurt?’ I’d assure him I was fine, even though, naturally, it stung a bit. Repeated takes can cause headaches, no matter how padded the setup. But all I could think about was getting the shot right. Working with him was an unforgettable experience.”

A childhood dream realized: Sharing screen space with Shobana
For Aarsha, acting alongside Shobana was nothing short of magical. “She’s a legend in dance and someone I’ve idolised since childhood. I used to watch her performances and never imagined I’d one day be acting beside her.”
“Ma’am is warm, talkative, and incredibly kind. During the shoot, I just prayed I wouldn’t cause a retake. After the scene, she tapped my cheek and said I did well — it felt like winning an award.”
“We spoke a lot between takes. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d sit and chat with her, let alone act alongside her. It felt like a dream becoming reality. The days I got to shoot with her were the most exciting for me.”