Who can neglect the naughty, bubbly woman in Nokkathadoorath Kannumnattu who made the egoistic Sreekumar run for canopy with an harmless lie? Nadia Moidu, who has at all times had a captivating display presence, is counted among the many greatest performers within the Malayalam movie business. She has finished some memorable roles in Malayalam cinema earlier than venturing into Tamil and Telugu industries.
After a protracted break of 10 years from cinema following her marriage, Nadiya returned to performing with the hit Tamil film M Kumaran s/o Mahalakshmi and shortly grew to become lively once more within the movie business. Nadiya not too long ago made headlines for an announcement that she made throughout the press meet of Bheeshmaparvam. In the presence of Mammootty, Nadiya stated that feminine actors, even when they preserve their look and well being like Mammootty or different male superstars, do not get lead characters. In this interview with indianexpress.com, the veteran actor explains her assertion and recollects her expertise of working in Bheeshmaparvam. She additionally shares her views on equality within the movie business.
How was it working with younger actors like Srinda, Sreenath Bhasi amongst others in Bheeshmaparvam?
I’ve at all times admired their work. During Covid-19 instances, due to OTT, I may watch plenty of their movies. It was very nice collaborating with them. The performing model of those new gen actors is just a little bit completely different. I might say it’s extra refined. The kids had been very chill. There had been plenty of enjoyable moments on the units.
Whether we’re senior actors or newcomers, all of us must study to evolve on the finish of the day. Directors like Amal Neerad carry out one thing completely different in us. We do issues that we thought we may by no means do in our profession. I believe that is essentially the most thrilling a part of it. His filmmaking model can also be completely different. All this brings change in actors like us who’re from a special era.
What made you say sure to the position in Bheeshmaparvam?
I took the position of Fathima in Bheeshmaparvam primarily as a result of it is an Amal Neerad movie. And after all, Mammookka is taking part in the lead position. Even although I knew that there is not plenty of display house for my character, I nonetheless really feel Fathima is a powerful character within the film. Also there are plenty of proficient actors taking part in completely different characters within the film and it is apparent that everybody could have restricted display house. But, so long as the script and making falls in place, everybody concerned within the challenge scores, proper? That’s what I checked out whereas saying sure to my character in Bheeshmaparvam.
Following up on the assertion you made throughout the press meet of Bheeshmaparvam, why do you assume feminine actors discover it troublesome to get lead characters or vital roles?
I’ve performed some fascinating characters in current instances, particularly the character in Puthamputhukalai. Now, I’m a part of an anthology the place I’ll be sharing display house with Fahadh Faasil. The phase we’re doing is known as Sherlock and relies on MT Vasudevan Nair’s quick story. It might be directed by Mahesh Narayanan. I’ll be working in one other anthology, directed by Anjali Menon and the script of that film can also be fascinating. So extra scripts and flicks with vital feminine characters are coming now, however the course of is sluggish. We come from an period the place there have been many films with sturdy feminine characters and someplace alongside the best way we have now misplaced that pattern. But now it is slowly coming again due to OTT platforms. These platforms give room to so many alternative screenwriters, who will not be simply eager about the economics of cinema however prioritizing creativity. I see plenty of change occurring in Bollywood cinema. There are many feminine oriented films being made there. This remains to be not very seen in south Indian movie business. The consciousness is now there, the change will occur slowly. There are plenty of ladies administrators with completely different sensibilities and I hope we’ll see extra sturdy feminine characters on display.
Do you assume the lengthy break from performing has affected your profession?
It was completely my option to take a break from performing. I completely don’t look again and remorse my resolution. My baby was extra vital. When I did M Kumaran s/o Mahalakshmi, it was an experimental resolution. My household supported my resolution.
When you bought again to performing after the break, you principally bought mom characters, whereas male actors who acted together with you throughout the ’80s and ’90s had been nonetheless taking part in the hero. How do you see this disparity?
It’s unusual when you concentrate on it, however once more that is how issues are. We simply have to just accept it. Within that you’ve got to determine how one can make a distinct segment for your self. The mom characters I did weren’t at all times the everyday mom characters. I see the mom characters as sturdy feminine characters. There’s nothing incorrect in taking part in a mom character. I do not assume a lady loses all the pieces in life as soon as she will get married and turns into a mom. There’s a lot extra to her. There’s a lot extra she will supply to the folks in society. I’m having the very best time of my life at this age. I do not actually have to consider something as my youngsters have grown up. I’ve now time to consider myself. Not many individuals can be fortunate as I’m as a result of they could have liabilities like ageing mother and father or another factor. So you have to have a help system throughout the household. Any lady who feels joyful or content material with what she has achieved is solely due to her help system. Otherwise, it isn’t potential.
What recommendation are you able to give to imminent feminine actors?
We should first develop as folks. We have to adapt to modifications occurring round us. We can’t be inflexible in our personal methods. You must be open to the form of characters which might be being written. Sometimes as an artiste, you are typically caught on this considered being a star. If you’re caught in that thought, you will not be able to attempt something completely different. So all of us have to take that danger. Something works and generally issues do not work, that is life proper. So all of us have to take that danger and check out one thing completely different, inside our personal capability.
How do you assume the market worth of feminine actors may be at par with male counterparts?
I’m somebody who believes in equality, equal pay and all. But so far as cinema is anxious, all of it comes right down to economics. There was a time within the ’80s once I was paid greater than a hero. If you’re carrying a movie in your shoulder, you then positively should be paid extra. I believe we girls may be paid way over what we’re being paid now. I believe there ought to be extra scripts with highly effective feminine characters. Though, throughout Bheeshmaparvam press meet, I stated in a lighter observe that girls will not be getting lead characters like male actors, it is sadly true. But, issues are altering. Society is just not as patriarchal because it was earlier than. We are educating our daughters. We are educating them to face up on their very own toes. There are even relationship websites the place ladies have the selection to choose the person they need. So there are modifications occurring. Society is getting extra progressive. It can occur solely with everyone’s effort. Men must help this alteration.
How do you see the change in Malayalam cinema over time in respect of content material and the functioning of business?
Malayalam cinema from the very starting was recognized for its content material. The Malayalam movie business has been fairly constant on that entrance. People everywhere in the world nonetheless watch Malayalam cinema, due to the standard content material. But as feminine artists, we get pushed to different industries much more simply most likely as a result of we’re paid higher or get higher remedy. I want we had little bit extra funding so we may retain a few of our excellent Malayalam actors. Keep them, quite than letting them go.
The different day I and Mammookka had been speaking about how Malayalam movie business functioned prior to now. We used to greet one another by saying namaste or Hi. I keep in mind I used to be the one actor who would shake fingers. Now we greet folks in a different way. We hug everybody. So there’s extra heat between co-workers, and individuals are extra pleasant. I discover it far easier working with the youthful era as a result of I’ve kids in that age and I perceive their mind-set. I believe folks should not lose the kid in them. I nonetheless attempt to retain the kid in me. I nonetheless attempt to retain the naughty me and I do not need to lose it ever.
How do you see the younger feminine actors of in the present day, particularly their stance on sure points and collectives like WCC?
They are actually taking good care of sure points involving ladies within the business. This is nice. They are investing plenty of time for this trigger. Today’s era has extra platforms to voice their opinions. Everybody has the fitting to voice their opinion. I do not interact in these sorts of actions, primarily as a result of I’m not educated about many points. Due to the lack of know-how, I do not even have the fitting to say sure issues. But sure, I’ll voice my opinion on points that I’m conscious of.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
