The star from China
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Zhang Shumins says playing the lead in ‘Arabikatha’ was an amazing experience. Sangeeta
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It has been an incredible training ground for me. I am lucky to have got an opportunity to work with such experienced artistes.
Zhang Shumin’s story sounds like a fairy tale. This 25-year-old from Beijing works in the mercantile department of a general trading company in Dubai. After having worked there for more than three-and-a-half years, Shumin now guides Chinese pr
ofessionals seeking a career in the U.A.E.
As part of her work, Shumin was requested to help a film crew find a Chinese actor to play the female lead in a movie. Shumin recommended names, prepared friends for the screen test but never thought of appearing for one even when all the candidates failed the audition. The film crew then asked Shumin, who was doubling as an interpreter, if she would agree to a screen test. And she became a film actor. She was requested to play the lead in a feature film in a language she had not even heard of – Malayalam.
All that she knew was that she was to play a Chinese woman and that the film was titled ‘Arabikatha.’
Facing the camera
“Oh, it is like a dream,” says Shumin with a pronounced Chinese accent. “I never thought of working in films. I work in a corporate house and I have no experience in acting. This is the first time I am facing a camera. But I have been able to manage till now.”
Shumin is now working on the second schedule of ‘Arabikatha,’ directed by Lal Jose. The film, set in Dubai, captures the life and times of non-resident Keralites. The cast include Srinivasan, Indrajith, Jayasurya, Jagathy Srikumar and Samvrata Sunil.
Coincidence or convenience, Zhang Shumin’s character in the film has her maiden name.
“Shumin is a computer accessories vendor. Cuba Mukundan, played by Srinivasan, is attracted to this girl. And eventually they fall in love despite the barriers of language, race and religion. But the film is not centred on their romance. It tries to portray the larger canvas of Mukundan’s life. Shumin’s presence and her influence on Mukundan form the core of the story,” explains the actor.
Good training
“It has been an incredible training ground for me. I am lucky to have got an opportunity to work with such experienced artistes. I have no clue about their professional standing in Kerala, but the way they work and the response they elicit give you an idea of their professionalism and calibre,” she adds.
Shumin’s eyes sparkle as she talks about the crew members. She starts her thanks list with a name sounding like ‘Lalu Chetta’ (Lal Jose).
“He was so patient with me. The rest of the cast were familiar with his way of working. He gave me due time and attention before every shot. My costars used to help me out with rehearsals.”
Shumin taught the unit some Chinese and in return picked up some Malayalam words.
“I can say Suprabhatam, Entha Visesham, Evide Pokunnu, Adipoli … I can even sing some lines of the songs in Arabikatha. I like Malayalam; it’s such a sweet language. And Kerala is lovely. So serene and pristine, mu
ch prettier that what I had imagined. Given a chance, I would live my whole life here,” she adds.
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