THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The star who has donned the hat of an ace actor, writer, television host, politician, social activist and producer, is one fine lady who never backs down from facing a challenge. The bold and beautiful Khushboo Sundar has always been a hard nut to crack. Fiercely independent and opinionated, the actress has truly been one of her kind. “I always want to be myself. Even in the hardest situations, if you have self respect, integrity and courage to go against the wind then that is the mantra to achieve more in life,” says the star.
Her role as a dotting wife and mother of two, MD of two companies, hosting television shows - all of it keeps her busy 24 x 7. Ask her how she manages all of it so wonderfully, and she has just one thing to say, “Balancing between family and profession is simple once you prioritise your duties. For me family is most important.”
The South Indian film audience’s great favourite, the ‘goddess incarnate’ will soon be appearing as an arrogant mother-in-law in an upcoming Malayalam movie ‘Mr Marumakan’. She will be playing the role of Bhagyaraj’s wife where Dileep and Sanusha are essaying the lead roles. Talking about her part, she says, “It was a pleasure working with Dileep again. First being Manathe Kottaram. ‘Raja Mallika’ - my character in the film is slightly arrogant but I wouldn’t say it is completely negative,” says the mother of two beautiful daughters Avanthika and Ananditha. “My production house has been named after them - Avni Cinemax. It is our gift to them,” says Khushboo
An active member of DMK, she prefers being called a political worker rather than a politician. Ask her what prompted her to join politics and she says, “We live in a democratic country. To do something for the larger community, politics is the ultimate platform. If used well, politics is the place to serve people from,” says this 41-year-old beauty.
Coming to her film roles, whether Tamil or Malayalam, the actress has always been choosy. Her best remembered characters in Malayalam are as a doctor friend opposite Mohanlal in ‘Chandrolsavam’ the lost girlfriend opposite Mammootty in Kaiyoppu and ‘Pranchiyettan & the Saint” “The role in ‘Pranchiyettan’ was etched so finely by Renjith that the character got noticed so much and many ask about it even now,” says Khushboo who openly admits that she has not seen the movie till date. Ask her if she has noticed any transition in Malayalam cinema since her beginning here with ‘Uncle Bun’ in 1991, and she says, “There is hardly any difference I notice, as Malayalam cinema has always been known for its experimental films. The audience which loves Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s movies are equally interested in watching a Sathyan Anthikaad family entertainer.”
For a while Khushboo has been balancing multiple roles, whether as actor, anchor or producer. So which part is the most challenging? “Producing a film is tough. Managing more 150 people and understanding everyone and taking care of them is a real responsibility. When I stepped into production, many told me that heroines can never be successful at it. But I was determined and went ahead and the first film I produced was a commercial hit. Compared to producing a film, even managing my two daughters and husband is easier for me,” says Khushboo smiling. The actress may have acted in over 200 films, but she does not believe in the concept of a dream role as such. “Once you think that a particular role is your best and it was the only role that you dreamt of, then you have reached a stagnation point from where there is no way to go further.”