Gauthami Nair is glad to be back, reveals established actresses in Mollywood face big challenges

Actor Gauthami Nair, who became every Malayali’s ‘crush’ after starring in ‘Second Show’ and ‘Diamond Necklace,’ recently made her debut in the Tamil webseries ‘Kaakee Circus’, which is currently streaming on a major OTT platform. Gauthami says she is delighted to be back on screen after a hiatus, though she also appeared in Malayalam films like ‘2018’ and ‘Kondal’ in recent years.

For an audience that has long adored her, this return is nothing short of a celebration, as Gauthami's presence reminds them of a time when her charm and talent made her a household name.

“I’m deeply moved by the love and warmth people continue to show me, even though I haven’t been a regular presence on screen,” Gauthami told Onmanorama. “It’s this affection from the audience that keeps me inspired and motivated to return to acting, no matter how long I’ve been away.”

Though she has been involved in projects like '2018' and 'Kondal' in recent years, Gauthami’s true comeback came with Kaakee Circus. The role has reignited her visibility in the industry, and she is hopeful it will mark the beginning of a stronger and more consistent presence, especially in Malayalam cinema. But despite her enthusiasm, Gauthami remains candid about the challenges women face in the industry, particularly when it comes to securing roles as an established actor.

The Bengaluru-based Malayali actor, feels that Mollywood is currently focused on casting fresh faces, which makes it difficult for established actors to secure roles. She added that many established talents have been forced to leave the industry due to the trend of favoring newcomers. “What I’ve noticed is that this trend affects women more than men. Filmmakers are eager to cast fresh female faces, while established male actors are retained more easily. Female actors, being established, often require a higher pay scale, and new faces are less likely to make such demands. As a result, many talented actors have sought opportunities outside the industry. Naturally, when they return to Malayalam cinema, they expect pay aligned with other industries' standards. Of course, new actors should be encouraged, but not at the cost of losing talented heroines,” she said, highlighting that the situation feels unfair.

She also shared how her own career took a different turn over the years, as opportunities dwindled after people assumed she had stopped acting following her marriage. “I’m grateful and lucky to have been part of films like 'Second Show' and 'Diamond Necklace,' and I did a few projects after that. But offers started reducing, mainly because I was focused on my studies. However, after my marriage, people, particularly production controllers, began to assume that I was no longer interested in acting. It was disheartening to see this assumption spread, especially when I never made any public statements to that effect. I was open to work, but the assumption was that once an actress gets married, she’s done with her career. Everyone had my contact details. Someone could have reached out to me directly to see if I was interested in roles,” she said with a tinge of disappointment in her voice.

She expressed gratitude towards the filmmakers who have continued to consider her for roles over the years. “Jude Anthany Joseph had contacted me for a role in Om Shanti Oshana, but I had to turn it down due to my studies. So when he reached out again for 2018, I was determined not to say no. I’m glad I was able to be part of a film that received such a warm reception in Kerala,” she shared.

Despite her academic focus, the actor acknowledged how fortunate she has been to study in institutions that allowed her flexibility with her schedule. “Even when I started in the film industry, I was younger, and the environment was flexible. That’s something I’m grateful for,” she said. She plans to complete her PhD next year and hopes to devote herself fully to her film career thereafter.

When asked if she had always aspired to be an actor, she said she had planned on becoming a doctor. However, she fell in love with acting after she made her debut with ‘Second Show’. “Acting was never my plan. In fact, I originally wanted to become a neurosurgeon, but that didn’t happen. I fell in love with acting when I was given the opportunity to use my skills in the field. My parents were always strict about academics, which is why, when I couldn’t pursue a medical career, I chose psychology. I felt it would complement my acting. And it has. Psychology still plays a vital role in my approach to acting,” she said. “I’ve been able to apply some of the psychological techniques I learned in my acting. But I feel I need a substantial role to fully integrate this knowledge into my work,” she said.

While Gauthami may not have any immediate acting projects on the horizon, she is actively working on a few scripts with the hope of one day stepping behind the camera as a director. She was once on the cusp of making her directorial debut with Vrittham, a project she poured her heart and soul into. However, just as the project was nearing completion, circumstances forced her to let go of her dream.

“The project got tangled in production issues,” Gauthami said. “I’ve always believed that for a project to succeed, every actor and technician involved needs to feel a sense of fulfillment and happiness. When financial issues began to affect the creative process, I knew I had to make the tough decision to put it on hold.”

Despite the setback, Gauthami has moved on and doesn’t plan to revisit Vrittham. “We had shot over 85% of the film, with just the final 15-minute climax left to shoot. But the subject we explored doesn’t feel relevant anymore, and I’ve accepted that some things are meant to remain unfinished,” she said.

Her spirit remains unshaken, however, and she remains determined to realize her dreams one day. “I’ve always believed in not holding on too tightly to anything, even when it’s hard. That’s a lesson life has taught me. Once the grieving period is over, it’s best to move on and pursue the next goal,” she said, her psychology background clearly influencing her perspective. “This approach is something I’ve learned from my experiences, and it keeps me going. There’s always a new chapter to look forward to.”