With her sarcastic disdain and cheeky smile, Valsala madam, has instantly struck a right chord with the tele viewers of Kerala. The lovely Rachana Narayanankutty, who portrayed the headstrong bureaucrat in the popular sitcom, ‘Marimayam’, is upbeat now, as the anchor of a comedy show, and for grabbing substantial roles in two upcoming films.
Rachana, who says she had only intended to act in a single episode of ‘Marimayam’, was taken aback by the overwhelming response her character got, and decided to continue. The actor, who is an English teacher by profession, speaks in chaste Malayalam, a rarity these days.
“Being a bit reserved, I never knew I had this ability to evoke laughter in others. I was content with my dance classes, (she runs a classical dance school at her home in Thrissur), when I got an opportunity to become a radio jockey. The scriptwriter of the radio programme, Jayarajan spotted that I have a gift of gab.”
The character, Valsala Madam, got recognition because people could easily relate her to the stubborn officials they come across, observes Rachana. She says, “Valsala regards herself highly. She is inconsiderate about others and expects everyone to grease her palms, like many bureaucrats today. I guess that is why the character clicked.”
Though many do not know, Rachana stepped into filmdom in 2001, through ‘Theerthadanam’ scripted by M T Vasudevan Nair. In the movie, she played the role of the heroine’s friend. “Though it was a small role, I consider it a gratifying experience to have begun my career through a film by M T sir,” says Rachana.
She has important roles in two upcoming movies, ‘Amen’ and ‘101 Chodyangal’. Surprisingly, in both movies, her characters do not have a tinge of humour. “That is not a surprise, at least for me, says Rachana. “Because, I am not a funny person in real life.”
In ‘Amen’, Rachana plays Clara, who has to bear the family responsibility, because of her brother’s reckless attitude to life. Fahad Fazil plays her brother. “It is a strong role with enough acting possibilities,” she says.
‘101 Chodyangal’ is directed by Siddartha Siva who had acted in ‘Marimayam’. She plays the wife of Nishant Sagar in the film. “The character is sober, owing to the poverty that she has to face in life,” she explains.
As of now, Rachana says she does not want to commit all the roles that come her way, and looks forward to doing good, memorable roles.