KPAC Lalitha’s natural way of acting set her apart from other actors and she could perform any role to perfection. Directors have moulded her to enact diverse characters such as a modest housewife, a bold village woman or a sweet lover. She has played the role of the sweetheart of legendary actor Sathyan, mother of veteran Prem Nazir and wife of present superstar Mammootty!
It all started on September 4, 1964 when she arrived on the premises of KPAC (Kerala People’s Arts Club) at Kayamkulam along with her father for interview.
The first person Lalitha, who was known as Maheswari Amma at that time, met at KPAC was actress Adoor Bhavani. Lalitha asked her casually, “Isn’t this KPAC?”
“Can’t you see?” Bhavani shot back and Lalitha laughed.
A long period in theatre followed for Lalitha. It was also a dream come true as Lalitha, as a young girl, had eagerly wished to join the KPAC – a pro-Communist theatre group – every time she travelled in front of it on a bus.
First steps
Earlier, Lalitha had debuted in theatre while being part of a dance troupe of Gangadharan Master in Kollam. It was during the inauguration of the Arts and Sports Club at Kadappakkada. However, Lalitha soon lost interest in dance classes and went to live with her father, who worked as a photographer in Changanassery.
Incidentally, the Geetha Arts Club in Changanassery conducted rehearsals on the floor above the studio where Lalitha’s father worked. Geetha invited Lalitha to act in their drama ‘Bali.’ However, Lalitha’s parents objected and she performed only two dance numbers.
Later, she acted as a dancer in P J Antony’s drama ‘Mathrubhumi’. She soon signed a one-year contract for Rs 2,000 with Geetha. However, Lalitha still yearned to be part of KPAC.
Some days later, actor Sankaradi and writer S L Puram Sadanandan arrived at Lalitha’s house and invited her to Pratibha, a new theatre group at Karunagappally. But, as they had already received an advance from Geetha, Lalitha’s father refused the offer.
Still, there was severe compulsion from Pratibha and Lalitha went to their rehearsal camp. Lalitha liked the atmosphere there as many people linked to movies were present. They included Sankaradi, Kottayam Chellappan, Paravoor Bharathan and Azeez, among others.
However, people from Geetha arrived within three days and threatened to drag the matter court. Left with no other option, Lalitha returned to Changanassery.
But, Pratibha soon intervened and found a solution. Lalitha acted as the heroine in their drama ‘Kakkapponnu.’ Lalitha earned much fame as the drama was performed at around 60 venues.
The threatre troupe of actor Bahadur at Kodungallur also heard about Lalitha and invited her to join their five dramas. Even though she was reluctant, Lalitha went to Kodungallur. However, she left the next day itself by a ruse. When she reached home, a telegram was waiting for Lalitha, inviting her for the interview to KPAC.
The tenure at KPAC
At KPAC, the interview panel included Thoppil Bhasi, KPAC Sulochana, K P Ummer, K S George and Chellappan Pillai.
“Can you sing?” asked George. Lalitha sang the song ‘Ambiliyammava.’
Next, Lalitha was asked to dance. She danced, singing the same song.
Then, Lalitha’s dialogue delivery was tested. She repeated some lines related by Sulochana.
After the interview, Lalitha was told that she would be informed about the panel’s decision later.
Lalitha and her father boarded a bus to return home. Sulochana too was travelling on the same bus. She came and sat beside Lalitha. “Dear, everyone liked you,” said Sulochana, making Lalitha very happy.
But, Sulochana asked Lalitha to put on some weight as she had to take up the role of Ummer’s wife. Ummer was a stout person and Lalitha was thin at that time.
Back home, Lalitha engaged in desperate measures to gain weight. She consulted a doctor and received 16 injections. She regularly had soup made from buffalo tail, dried grapes soaked in toddy, raw egg in milk and cold rice gruel. In addition, she took the Ayurvedic preparation ‘Chyavanaprasam.’
After joining KPAC, Lalitha spent a long eight years at the group enacting major roles in path-breaking dramas such as ‘Aswamedham’, ‘Survey Kallu’, ‘Mudiyanaya Puthran’ and ‘Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi.’
Entering films
Lalitha’s first movie ‘Koottukudumbam’ (1969) was an adaptation of a drama. Before work on the film began, the drama was staged before the film director K S Sethumadhavan and Kunchacko (Chackochan), the owner of Udaya Studio, at the studio.
As soon as the drama was over, Lalitha received a cheque for Rs 250 as advance for acting in the film. Her total remuneration was Rs 1,000. Four theatre artists were selected for the film – Lalitha, Alummoodan, Khan Sahib and Adoor Bhavani.
The shooting of ‘Koottukudumbam’ took place at Udaya. Bhavani told Lalitha that Sethumadhavan was a terror on the movie sets and Lalitha prepared to run away from the studio, abandoning her movie dreams. However, Sethumadhavan and Chackochan pacified Lalitha and even took the first shot of the movie on her, without informing the actress.
‘Koottukudumbam’ was a super hit and Lalitha became Udaya’s lucky charm. She was part of every movie produced by the studio since then.
Lalitha took a leave from acting when she married director Bharathan in 1978 and focused on homemaking. She made a comeback to movies with Bharathan’s ‘Kattathe Kilikoodu’ in 1983, followed by several notable films such as ‘Sanmanassullavarku Samadhanam’ and ‘Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu’, among others.
On Bharathan’s demise in July, 1998, Lalitha took another break from films. But she made another comeback in Sathyan Anthikkad’s 1999 movie ‘Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal’ following compulsion from her children and Anthikkad.
