Runn in g fr ee
Actress Santhy Balachandran on being part of Malayalam drama ‘Jallikattu’ — about the chaotic escape of a bull — out now in the UAE
A stage play changed the course of Santhy Balachandran’s life. The Anthropology Masters graduate who was pursuing a Ph.D at Cambridge in the UK switched tracks when two directors wanted to work with her after spotting her in the trailer of her play.
Jallikattu is her third film after Tharangam and Renduper. In an exclusive chat with tabloid!, Balachandran talks about her journey into cinema and her latest movie.
Her character
“Jallikattu follows a bull when it runs amok. This bull has been brought in Kalan Varkey’s house, a butcher. I play Sophie, his sister. She is a product of her society, a village girl with her own agenda. Sophie is a catalyst to what happens in the story. Her presence serves as the motivating factor for the actions of the other characters, her presence effects a lot of what happens in the film. Every character has their own motive for their behaviour.
There are many layers to the story. It presents a picture of a small hamlet in Kerala and the basic premise is whether there is really a difference between man and animal. Where do you draw the line and how do the lines get blurred?”
Learning with Lijo
“I had read the short story, Maoist. I was given the script before the shoot, so I knew how it progresses. I created a brief for my character and showed it to my director. Lijo sir said, ‘You have got it right, but leave that aside and come to the sets and interact with the actors and let the scenes develop’.
Lijo sir does not believe in his actors doing homework. He prefers an organic process and wants them to behave in front of the camera.”
Tiff moment
“It was wonderful to have a premiere at an international platform. I was intrigued by how well an international audience could connect with a story with a local flavour. The story is rooted in its setting and character. Yet people were able to connect with the universal aspects of it and the humour too. People commented that although Sophie’s screen time is short, her presence is felt throughout.”