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Ladies in the lead

For the three finalists on Amrita TV’s ‘Vanitha Ratnam’, their family is their strength. Today, one of these three will be chosen the winner at the finals in the Senate Hall, Thiruvananthapuram

Picture of confidence Heera,

‘Behind every successful man is a woman’ or so goes the adage. Ask Reena Machan and she’ll say behind every successful woman is her family. “With the support of one’s family, anything’s possible,R 21; she confirms with added emphasis on ‘anything.’ The first Indian reality show exclusively for women seems to have made its point.

Machan’s words hold true as Heera’s in-laws follow their 15-month-old grandchild around the room while she rehearses for the grand finale today. “When she made it past the auditions we told her she must give it a try. She was free to withdraw the minute she didn’t feel up to it,” says Unnikrishnan Namboodiri, an amateur theatre artist who accompanied Heera on stage for two dance performances.

In an interesting twist of fate he narrates an incident many years ago when he chanced upon a photograph of Heera in the newspaper when she was selected as the ‘kalaprathibha.’ To encourage her, he organised a felicitation for Heera through the local Yogakshema Samithi. Years later he meets her again as his son’s bride. “Call it divine will” he smiles, “or how else would she become part of our family?”

From displaying their culinary skills to reporting news stories as enterprising journalists, these women have done it all. Heera’s husband, Sanju Palasseri, who works in the Indian Navy, managed to get a few days off to be with his wife but had to rush back.

“Our life has been thrown out of gear since the last two months but it has been worth it,” says Shima as her husband, Shaiju, cradles their one-year-old son. “I told my mother in-law that I wanted to audition. She gave me the go-ahead immediately. I did it for fun; no rehearsals or plans. It was only after I became selected that I told my husband Nazir,” laughs Reena. Incidentally, she was the first contestant to be chosen at the auditions.

Shima

“I’ve supported her wholeheartedly ever since,” he says indulgently as he adds, “I’m sure there are plenty of people who now feel they’d like to have participated too. They should be encouraged and helped to overcome their apprehensions.”

The three finalists have been pathfinders in their own way even prior to the programme. Reena’s family has always encouraged her interests in dance, music and theatre. She won the award for the best actor during her college days.

While Heera was a topper at the State youth festivals, Shima was the first to do a cinematic dance in her convent school. “I registered under the folk dance category as the sisters refused to grant permission. But it went down well with everyone. The sisters still remember me for that!” she says with a grin.

Shima caught the attention of viewers with her tear-jerker themes that included enacting the role of a dwarf-woman who lives in her locality and sells lottery tickets for a living.

“I asked Sarojini chechi if she’d mind my playing her but she was more than happy. She watched me perform on her neighbour’s television,” she says. The role meant having to learn to walk on her knees and an extreme make-over.

So how has life changed for the trio after being under the spotlight?

Reena Machan

“A lot of recognition has come our way. I was more reserved before. Now I mingle better. The show has won me friends from all over the state,” mentions diminutive Heera.

“Strangers walk up to me, crying, pulling my cheek and hugging me for my performances. This ring was a gift from a viewer,” smiles Shima flashing a chunky stone-encrusted ring in the light, “people would call from abroad too. A grooming session with Murali Menon rids one of all inhibitions! He’ll have you scream, walk tall and do all sorts of things.”

As each day brings the contestants closer to discovering who will be awarded the title of ‘Vanitha Ratnam,’ both Heera and Shima acknowledge their relaxed temperaments. “It’s finally sinking in for me that I am part of something this huge. I was too busy having fun to even compete. I simply love being on stage,” says Reena who says it is important to enjoy what one does.

SAJINI V. SAHADEVAN

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