Rajisha Vijayan is clear about what she wants. She is not that clueless girl who stumbled into the industry, rather someone who meticulously prepares for her next. She measures her each move, thinks about it and has her reasons, too. “I don’t want to be typecast and the industry, as well as the audience, are not very forgiving to women actors,” says Rajisha.
In a conversation with Express, Rajisha, who was declared by media as 2016’s best find, talks about her craft, women-oriented films and life as such.
Planner for 2017
I had a wonderful 2016 and this year, too, begins on a postive note. I am doing the female lead in Georgettan’s Pooram, which has Dileep in the lead. I play Merlin, a soft-spoken and quiet girl, the other extreme of Eli in Anuragakarikkinvellam. What drew me to the movie is that it is a commercial entertainer that the audience will love. In many ways, it is the opposite of Anuragakarikkinvellam. I was excited when I got it, because I wanted to prove that I can handle every role. Then, I have another project, but it is too early to announce it.
Being selective
I pick roles with utmost care. Even for my debut I was looking for characters which will help prove my skill. I can play an arm-candy to a major star, but not in my debut movie. The industry is forgiving towards male actors, but that’s not the case with women. So, I was apprehensive, but what I got was beyond my expectations. The script of Anuragakarikkinvellam was so good and I credit the whole team for that.
However, post my debut, I was flooded with characters who are similar to Eli. But then I waited for something different. I didn’t want to be stereotyped. I didn’t want the industry to have the notion that I am cut-out only for roles like that. I want to prove my versatility. I am an actor and I believe the job is to prove one’s talents within the genre.
Doing women-oriented flicks
It is disappointing that we do not have many strong women subjects or characters. But, what I mean by strong characters is not the quintessential ‘single woman struggle’ or ‘a woman who fights against the odds’.
It can also have a different shade. Look at what Shobhana and Urvasi have done. They were cast opposite actors like Mohanlal and Mammootty, yet proved their talent and grabbed the limelight. You can have a strong women character in a hero-oriented subject, too.
Shunning the number game
Number games are a big no. You won’t see me doing back-to-back flicks to prove that I am here. I want to do movies where I have something to do.