For Lena, her buzz word has always been ‘variety’ while choosing characters. “I always wanted to do different charactersa and that is what I am offered these days,” says a content actress, who has at least five interesting releases in her kitty, including her debut Tamil movie, ‘Anegan’ starring Dhanush.
Lena recently joined the sets of ‘Ennumente Moideen’, a poignant love story of Moideen and Kanchanamala helmed by R S Vimal. She appears in the role of Moideen’s mother in the movie that is based on a real life story starring Prithviraj and Parvathy Menon in lead roles. “The character that appears in three getups spanning a period of 35 years is quite challenging,” says Lena who is essaying a real-life inspired role for the first time.
The character who walked ahead of her times in many aspects seems to have smitten the actress. Lena who interacted with Moideen’s brother to get into the skin of the character, says, “Moideen’s mother was a bold and progressive woman. And etching that role, that ranges between 25 to 60 years, to perfection is like acting in three movies.”
Another movie that has given the actress a pivotal role is Amal Neerad’s ‘Iyobinte Pusthakam’ that has a large star cast including Fahadh Faasil, Isha Sharvani
Lal, Jayasurya, Padmapriya and Reenu Mathews. Lena says her character in the movie that will release next month is a total surprise. “This is one role that has no shades to whatever I have done before. I want the viewers to watch and get the feel rather than talking about it before,” says Lena about the outing which is expected to be a period thriller. This is Lena’s third movie with Amal. She says with each movie with the director, she is learning something new. “’Iyobinte Pusthakam’ is shot against a vast canvas that touches many aspects. Therefore I feel it does not fall to any particular genre,” says the actress.
Lena has short but interesting roles in Sibi Malayil’s family drama, ‘Njangalude Veettile Athidhikal’ and Jibu Jacob’s ‘Vellimoonga’. “In the former that stars Jayaram and Priyamani in lead roles, I have a cameo role that has significance in the storyline. I will be spotted in a different getup wearing sari,” says Lena.
The actress says her friendship with Jibu is what prompted her to portray the character in ‘Vellimoonga’, a political satire. She plays Siddique’s wife in the movie. “The film taken against a hilly backdrop has an interesting story to tell,” she says.
Lena is all excited about her debut Kollywood outing that will be released in November. But she is tight-lipped when it comes to revealing much about the romantic entertainer, as the director K V Anand is particular about it. “The movie shot in a different language and style was a special experience,” says Lena.
Next in the offing is a V K Prakash outing. After ‘Ennumente Moideen’, she will join the sets of the movie penned by Sanjay-Bobby.
Lena who was the showstopper for the Kochi Fashion Week held recently says, “I sashayed on the ramp for the first time. As I said, new things excite me,” she signs off.