It was absolute pleasure catching up with Shwetha Menon, who is on the doorstep of twin turning points of her life: the release of ‘Rathinirvedam’, the remake of the yesteryear trendsetter from Padmarajan-Bharathan team, on June 16 and her marriage to Sreevalsan Menon, the Assistant Vice President of Edelweiss just two days after the release. The actor, who is in her 20th year in the industry and has proved her mettle with her roles in ‘Paradesi’, ‘Palerimanikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte katha’ and ‘Madhyavenal’, underlines that marriage wouldn’t spell an end to her career. Excerpts from an interview RathinirvedamI wouldn’t call that a remake. Rajivettan (T K Rajeev Kumar who has directed the new version) really took me by surprise when he offered me the role. And we had a mutual agreement that I wouldn’t see the original version till this film is released. I am actually waiting to see the movie. When the Padmarajan-Bharathan team made the movie (in 1978) , it came as a shocker for the audience. But times have changed. Are you anxious that only the sensual element will be discussed more rather than the film?Not at all. We know that the present generation has heard and seen it all, thanks to internet and other options. But we know that there will be a Rathichechi and Pappu during any period. We are not showing any crude emotion. Everything is natural and the emotions are pure. The movie is not just skin show. It is a family movie. It has been given a different feel by Rajivettan and has been shot beautifully by Manojettan (cameraman Manoj Pillai), with some great costume work by Kukku Parameswaran. She has designed the ‘pavada-daawani’ in a different way. Also, the movie has been shot in real locations in Mavelikkara, where Padmarajan really wanted to shoot the original. On the whole, it will be a different film with some great music (by M Jayachandran).What was tough about the movie?(After a lot of thinking) Running around with the calf. It really gave me a tough time! (she bursts out laughing)A take on her filmi careerIt has been beautiful. Of course, it has been a roller-coaster ride. I don’t have any regrets.The turning points‘Anashwaram’ was indeed the first turning point. (Her debut work opposite Mammootty after she won beauty pageants Miss Coimbatore and later Miss Young India). Then the Miss India pageant (in 1994 where she was crowned second runner-up behind Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai) which gave me the ticket to Miss Asia Pacific. The Gladrags Supermodel contest was another highlight where I won the title. The film ‘Paradesi’ is another main part of my career. And now I am waiting for another turning point.ModellingI am still open to it. I stopped doing shows after I put on weight. Also, I needed a change. Till 2002, I have been doing ramp shows. And three years back I did a show for Suniel Shetty. MarriageWe have known each other for two years. It was some circumstances which brought us together. We were good friends. Last September or so, we decided upon walking step by step. And early this year, we felt we should go faster and be together. The wedding date was fixed in a hurry since my father (Narayanankutty) is not keeping well. I will be shooting for a Tamil movie (by Vasantha Balan) till June 14, ie four days before my marriage! All except me are shopping for marriage. In between the shoots, I have been running around to finalise my wedding wear. It will be purely a family affair, at my father’s home at Valanchery. I am sorry that I can’t give a reception to the film industry. I just want my father to get better. Her beauSreevalsan (grandson of literary great Vallathol Narayana Menon) is from Thrissur. He is one person who appreciates my work. He has seen my films. And he feels I am really beautiful. In fact, he makes me feel beautiful...Upcoming projectsIt was nice working on two contrasting roles, around the same time- Rathi of ‘Rathinirvedam’ and the cute role of a dubbing artist, Maya Krishnan, in ‘Salt n Pepper’. I have completed shooting for ‘Megharoopan’ by P Balachandran. Life post marriageAll are asking whether I would be quitting acting. Not at all. Just two days after my wedding, I will be shooting for a Telugu film, with Nagarjuna. Yes, I will be around the industry. In fact, I am ready for even ‘Rathinirvedam 10’. More Pappus are welcome!
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