20 Days of Aanandam and How It Changed Their Lives

20 Days of Aanandam and How It Changed Their Lives

  • 09 Nov 2016
  • Rheanna Mathews
  • Features

Aanandam, the directorial debut of Ganesh Raj and produced by Vineeth Sreenivasan under the banner Habit of Life, is an undeniable commercial success, embraced by Malayali youth everywhere with unbridled enthusiasm. In the wake of the movie’s success, the seven actors in starring roles have found themselves in the spotlight and one wonders how the new darlings of Malayalam cinema are dealing with it all. WtzupCity caught up with Annu Antony (Devika), Arun Kurian (Varun), Siddhi Mahajankatti (Dia),  Anarkali Marikar (Darshana), Roshan Mathew (Gautham), Thomas Mathew (Akshay) and Vishak Nair (Kuppi) while most of them were on the road promoting the hit movie at colleges all over Kerala.

Just days into the release of Aanandam, one is curious to know if the success has altered the lives of the seven (as they shall probably be referred to in future). Some of them insisted that it is too soon to tell, that they feel like it’s all still part of making the movie. One gets the feeling that the idea of being stars of the Malayalam movie industry hasn’t yet sunk in. But from the response they received when they visited colleges – overwhelming and completely unexpected – one can be sure that their lives definitely won’t stay the same.

Thomas: They were shouting and so full of energy. I thought it’d last for maybe ten minutes, but it went on full throttle the entire time we were there. I thought, “Wow, that’s for us”. It felt good.

 

Vishak: The response has been overwhelming. I mean, we did give the movie our all, and we had the pleasure of visiting many colleges over the past few weeks, but not once did we expect this level of response.

 

And it isn’t just at promotional appearances that they are well received.  

 

Roshan: I cannot get used to the fact that people recognize me wherever I go.

 

 

Siddhi: The response has been amazing. The target audience was actually college-going kids and those who’d just passed out, but the movie’s had a wider reach than that. I’ve had little kids, 4 and 5 year olds, coming up to me and saying that they enjoyed the movie.

 

People have been calling to let them know how much they appreciated the movie and their characters. In one instance, it even brought about the reconciliation of a group of friends, estranged since college, thanks to the character of the handsome, brooding control freak, Varun.

At the personal front, long lost friends and acquaintances have been trying to reconnect and family has been more encouraging of their thespian aspirations, given that they’ve been a part of a Vineeth Sreenivasan production.

Roshan: I’ve been an actor for six years and I was never someone held up as an example in the family. But being a part of this, a Vineeth Sreenivasan production, has definitely earned me a measure of respect. And a lot of people who had fallen out of life have reached out, and I’m really thankful about that.

 

Anarkali: People who hardly spoke to me in school have been calling and trying to connect through facebook and other social media.

 

The seven are absolutely thrilled that people refer to them as their characters in the movie. Contrary to what one might expect when identities are mistaken, they’re unequivocally happy about being called Kuppi and Varun etta and even Sooji Mon.

 

Annu: Some of them call me Tattoo Mol. It makes me so happy that they’re responding this way.

 

 

One is used to reading about tales of fame like they are cautionary tales, perhaps because the media paints them so. But the idea of fame isn’t too daunting to the seven, primarily because they don’t think that they’ve achieved the sort of fame or publicity that warrants such a tale. Yes, they understand the implications of being famous but they’re a grounded bunch and remain largely unfazed, preferring to focus on their craft and not its effects.

Arun: Fame doesn’t bother me right now. I want to focus on becoming a better actor.

 

 

 

Anarkali: Yes, the ides of fame is a bit scary, the lack of privacy and all that, but I prefer to look at the good things that come along with it. The brighter side, yes.

 

Anyone who’s watched the movie has been bowled over by the camaraderie between the seven. And each of them assures us that the companionship between them exists in real life too.

Thomas: It’s exactly like you see it in the movie. Actually, it’s better. We’re closer.  

 

 

They have been each other’s support system, helping each other with their acting and offering honest criticism.

 

Arun: It’s unheard of in Malayalam cinema, a movie set with such a young cast and crew. Ganesh ettan, Vineeth ettan and Anend ettan were such great help throughout.

 

They’ve also inspired each other to re-examine their choices.

Roshan: I look at these guys and I’m genuinely enthused. Do I go back to my routine of rehearsing and approaching it like an acting project? Or do I follow their lead?

 

 

Siddhi: I want to focus on my studies right now, but if a good role comes along, of course I'd want to give it a try.

 

 

And regarding what everyone’s wondering now. Will they be back? Will we get to see them again on the silver screen? 

Annu: I came upon acting very accidentally. But now that I’ve seen the movie, and my performance in it, I want to explore this. I want to know if I can do more.

 

 

Vishak: I would love to continue in the movies, but for now I’m just riding the wave and seeing how things pan out. Let’s hope for the best.  

 

One thing is certain, these seven stars new to tinsel town have captured the hearts and imaginations of countless Malayalis today. And it looks like they’re staying.

 

Words by Rheanna Mathews

Photographs by Arun Menon

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