Actress Muktha had her film debut in the 2006 Malayalam movie 'Achanurangatha Veedu' directed by famed Lal Jose. Her cheerful looks and acting talent soon made the Kerala-born artist a star (named Bhanu) in Tamil cinema as well. In August 2015, Muktha (originally Elsa George) got married and became a mother a year later. Capable of doing well any assignment that came to her, the actress got busy looking after her family even as she ran well a beauty parlour amid a busy schedule.
When professional tensions and heavy workload build up, Muktha occasionally takes a break by going on a picnic with her husband Rinku Tomy and their daughter Kiara. The 26-year-old actress hailing from Kolenchery in Ernakulam district shares such experiences with Onmanorama.
Let me tell you at the very outset that I am not very crazy about travel. Not that I don't go out, but still I'd like to plan them well. Else I like to spend leisure time at home. Of late, my toddler child keeps me busy. I get no much free hours, and the ones I do get I spend on cleaning up home. No time for many other things, actually.
I am doing a television serial in Tamil. That makes me stay in Chennai 15 days a month. The rest of the time I enjoy with my little Kiara. Of course, occasional outings refresh my kid and husband, but they are mostly to nearby places. I particularly like hill-stations. More so Munnar, where I keep going chiefly because of the charming sights and the pleasant weather.
Debut Munnar trip
This place in Idukki district is excellent to spend time with days enchanted by the rugged terrain, rain and mist. Of course, it was also the main locale for my debut Malayalam movie as a class-8 student, with Kuttikanam being the focal place. Munnar went on to become the location for quite a few of the subsequent flick in which I acted. Even in Tamil. For instance, 'Thamirabharani' (2007).
Besides Kuttikanam and Munnar, I like Vagamon (also in the hilly Idukki district). Anywhere in Idukki we go, we won’t miss Munnar of all. It’s so beautiful that we would stay no less than a couple of days, taking in the grand nature. You need to see it to believe it.
Honeymoon tour
Goa is one place whose beauty I have heard as a child. That ended up to be selection for our honeymoon. In any case, I always liked beaches. Goa had them aplenty, besides of course sea food that we enjoyed a lot. It was actress Bhama after going there for the shoot of 'Happy Husbands' (2010) who spoke to me highly of Goan cuisine. My husband and I too visited the same restaurants. Each of them served mouth-watering stuff.
Spotless beaches that get busier by the day form the highlight of tourism in Goa. Plus, of course, the food: Mediterranean and Continental dishes. The state’s night life is excellent, too.
Scary experience
Though I keep travelling as part of travelling assignments, it’s out of family tours that I get a kick. Once we three charted out an Ooty trip. It was when we were returning to the plains after taking in the romantic looks of the Tamil Nadu hill station that we drove into a horrific situation.
By the edge of the forest stood a team of men, who offered us a wildlife safari for Rs 500. We found it tempting, and got into their vehicle. It was thrilling initially, but soon we found it scary having got deep into the woods. There, we encountered wild animals, and that only made us even more nervous.
Sandy shores
Amid a busy city life, we get a balmy experience at a place near Thiruvananthapuram. That is to the Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village at Chowara near Kovalam. Just 21 km south of the state capital. I often go there with my elder sister (Doshy Mary George). The strip of land by the vast sea cools our minds.
It’s a special experience to stay in the cottages built for inmates. The yoga and meditation sessions refresh both your mind and body.
My little one has begun to sense her surroundings. I and my husband must take her to more charming places.
