They share the same light eyes and sharp looks of their famous father. And, incidentally, both are living a life that they heard once from him. Siblings Parvathy Ratheesh and Padmaraj Ratheesh, children of yesteryear actor Ratheesh and the new entrants to the Malayalam movie industry, have already turned heads.
Happy as they might be, Parvathy and Padmaraj say they are a bundle of nerves and happiness isn’t really the feeling that governs them. “Our greatest pride and fear is the name our dad earned as an actor. We are scared that we might not live up to our dad’s name,” says Parvathy. Her brother chips in: “In fact, the same thought comes across our minds everytime we face the camera.”
Though Parvathy might be the first one to face the camera, it was Padmaraj’s debut vehicle Fireman that hit the screens first. “I couldn’t have asked for a better launchpad. Playing a villain opposite Mammootty is every actor’s dream. So, when Deepu Karunakaran (director of ‘Fireman’) narrated the script to me, I was super excited. And, in fact he told me that Mammookka instantly approved my casting,” says the actor who will soon be seen opposite Mammootty again in Acha Din.
He may be inexperienced, but Padmaraj says the support and affection of Mammootty put him at ease. “He was so friendly and would often support me during shoot. He was dad’s close friend and that affection showed. During stunt scenes, I would get so nervous and he would slap me on my shoulders to make me relax. He was my pillar,” says Padmaraj. He adds that they are fortunate to have so many well wishers. “Producer Suresh Uncle (Suresh Kumar of Revathi Kalamandir), actor Suresh Gopi and many others in the industry are our support system,” says Padmaraj.
Parvathy too shares the same. “Everyone we meet in the industry had something good to share with us about dad. Their respect for our dad was evident in the care they showed us. For us, it was a honour,” says Parvathy who will mark her debut in Sugeeth’s Maduranaranga opposite Kunchacko Boban and Biju Menon.
So, how did movies happen for her? “All this was not planned, for both of us. Suresh uncle is our family friend and once the producer of Maduranaranga met me on their house. They were on a hunt for a fresh face then. Things fell into place and I was chosen for the role,” says Parvathy.
She adds: “I play Tamara, a Srilankan Tamil girl in the movie. The movie traces Tamara’s life as she ends up in UAE. Her life undergoes a change when she meets the character played by Kunchacko Boban,” says Parvathy while sharing her excitement about Maduranaranga.
Well, was acting a cakewalk? She laughs: “It was actually such a good experience because the first day on the set was a depressing one. I felt so lonely but by the end of the day, I was pally with everybody. My co-actors, Kunchacko Boban and Biju Menon really helped me. They even showed me how to express and I think I couldn’t have asked for a better platform,” says Parvathy.
So, has the new job and the response they received from the industry and public made them more responsible? “Actually, the circumstances have moulded us into responsible beings. Even mom instilled a sense of responsibility in us. Now that we are stepping into a totally new industry, we are aware of our roles as actors,” says Padmaraj who says Acha Din has a meaty role for him. “I have a solid role in this movie. I think my role in this movie can be a milestone in my career,” says Padmaraj.
But, Parvathy likes to take things with a pinch of salt. “I haven’t committed anything though I have received a few offers. Let’s wait and see how things turn out. I want to gauge the reaction of the industry and public before taking the next step,” says Parvathy.