Intimacy is a huge part of anyone’s individuality: Zarin Shihab on playing Anjana in 'Ithiri Neram'

Zarin Shihab, whose career-defining performance in 'Aattam' won her widespread acclaim, has always been drawn to Malayalam cinema. Though she began her acting journey in Hindi cinema, where she featured in four projects, she eventually relocated to Kerala to pursue her artistic aspirations. As soon as she made the move, she landed notable roles in films like Shruthi Saranyam’s ‘B 32 Muthal 34 Vare’ and ‘Aattam.’ 'Ithiri Neram,' directed by Prasanth Vijay, was the third film she shot in Kerala, though she went on to appear in several others after that.

Prasanth Vijay, impressed by her work in ‘Aattam,’ decided to cast Zarin in the lead role of ‘Ithiri Neram.’ "I loved the concept because it was different," Zarin said. "There are plenty of family dramas and romantic comedies in Malayalam cinema, but there aren’t many films that explore relationships and intimacy in depth. Prasanth’s film does that, and that's what drew me in. Love and intimacy are integral parts of anyone's individuality and life, and getting to explore that creatively was a great opportunity."

When it comes to her on-screen chemistry with Roshan, Zarin reveals they already shared a good bond because of their theatre background. “I’ve known Roshan long before we worked together on this film. I always thought our first major project would be a theatrical production, but I’m so glad we got to collaborate on Ithiri Neram. Of course, I believe in building strong chemistry with my co-actors to bring my characters to life, but working with Roshan was a particular advantage because I knew he was comfortable with me. That allowed me to focus on the scenes without any worries."

Zarin shared there continues to be a common misconception about on-screen intimacy. “Many people equate intimacy with just physical closeness,” she said. “But intimacy is much more than that—it’s the space between two people, the conversations they share, and the emotional depth they bring to the relationship. That’s what makes it believable on screen.”

Zarin said she decided to focus on Malayalam cinema just before the Covid- 19 pandemic hit. She had already been part of a few Hindi web series and films, including a role in the popular series ‘The Family Man,’ where she worked alongside Manoj Bajpayee. “I’m definitely open to good offers from Hindi cinema if they come my way. But right now, I’m concentrating on Malayalam cinema and I’m excited to take on more projects here,” she said.

When asked what she looks for before committing to a film, Zarin said, “I choose projects that offer something different from what I’ve done before. I also pay close attention to the creative team behind the film, which allows me to judge how the project would unfold."

Life has changed for Zarin post-Aattam. “After Aattam was released, there were two major milestones. The first was meeting Vishal Bhardwaj and his wife Rekha at the Los Angeles Film Festival during  Aattam’s world premiere. They told me they loved the film, which was such a huge moment for me because I’m a fan of both Vishal’s work and his personality. The second was receiving a message from Mahesh Narayanan, whom I’ve always wanted to work with. This landed me an opportunity in his new film ‘Patriot’. ‘Patriot’ has grown into a massive project, and I’m really proud to be part of it. The whole industry is talking about it now, and it’s become a major film over time."

Zarin is glad that people are drawing comparisons to the film ‘Ithiri Neram’ with ‘96’ after watching the trailer. “I saw the comparisons. I am keeping my fingers crossed hoping they show the same enthusiasm post the film’s release,” she said. ‘Ithiri Neram’ featuring Zarin and Roshan Mathew and directed by Prasanth Vijay hit theatres on Friday.