Back in the limelight
AMBIKA VARMA
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Menaka, once a leading star in Malayalam cinema, returns with a major role in a serial.
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I will only choose characters that suit me. I do not want to disappoint my viewers. So no negative roles for me and no controversial ones either. Menaka
Leading lady: Menaka Photo: S. Gopakumar
After staying away from the arc lights for the last 19 years, Menaka, the yesteryear heart-throb of Mollywood, is making a comeback. But this time she has chosen the small screen.
Artist and dancer
"The reason for this sudden decision is that I was bored and wanted to do something to fill my time. When I was living in Chennai, my hands were full. But here in Thiruvananthapuram, there is not much to do," she rues.
In Chennai, Menaka had studied Bharatanatyam under the tutelage of Padma Subramaniam. And she had also taught dance. Although Menaka tried to keep herself occupied with painting classes, she found time on her hands.
It was then that her husband, Sureshkumar, suggested that she return to acting. `Kaliveedu,' under the banner of A.R. Productions, directed by Radhakrishnan, seemed to be the ideal break that Menaka was waiting for. She feels that the role of a journalist would suit her well. "Although I had a lot of offers for movies, my commitment to my family stopped me from accepting them. The shooting schedule of 10 to 15 days for the serial is convenient and I accepted the role without a second thought," she says.
No films
For the time being, Menaka is planning to limit herself to serials. "When time permits and when my children can look after themselves, I might think of accepting roles in films, that too only when I find a suitable one," she says.
Although Menaka has chosen to work in television serials, she is no couch potato. "I once got hooked to a Tamil serial. Then I realised how addictive serials can be and decided against watching them," she says. Today she watches only informative programmes.
Any dream role?
"I will only choose characters that suit me. I do not want to go against the expectations of my viewers. So no negative roles for me and no controversial ones either," she avers. Plans?
"I feel that you dream of the future only if your present is not satisfactory. Life has given me a great deal and I can't ask for anything more. I take life as it comes,'' she says.
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