Isha Talwar on playing Vaikom Basheer’s Suhara

With her debut film, Thattathin Marayathu, she walked off with several awards including AsiaVision’s ‘Sensation of the Year’ and IMAQ’s (Doha-Qatar) ‘Best Debut’ awards.

Now Isha Talwar, daughter of Vinod Talwar, (Boney Kapoor’s executive producer) is one of the hottest things in the Malayalam industry, with the release this weekend of Balyakalasakhi. We caught up with the former model.

How did you prepare for Suhara?

I am playing a Muslim girl again after Aisha [of Thattathin Marayathu]. But this character is different from Aisha in many ways as she belongs to a different age. We had to keep several things in mind with respect to her looks. Long nails were a clear no-no. I read the English version of the book and then went through training under theatre actor Murali Menon. It helped me get my dialogues right and to understand Suhara better.

How was it working with Mammootty?

Initially I did feel intimidated working with a legendary actor like Mammootty, but Mamookka has a knack of starting a conversation with anyone. I did wonder, ‘what am I going to talk with him [about]?’ Surprisingly, there were so many things to share and discuss with him. And he can talk on everything. As an actor he knows his craft well. His performance seems effortless, although there is so much effort going into his role. Watching him I understood that the key to acting lay in being at ease in front of the camera.

And your director?

Pramod [Payyannur] was clear about being honest to the book and he made every effort to draw that out from his actors.

What’s next?

I play a post woman in Ulasah Committee opposite Jayaram. I have just wrapped up Anjali Menon’s Bangalore Days, where I am Meenakshi, an air hostess, opposite Nivin Pauly, my first co-star. In God’s Own Country, starring Fahad, I make a special appearance as a mum to a little girl. Then there is my second Telegu film, Maine Pyar Kiya, a rom-com directed by Pradeep Maadugula and ready for release.

How did films happen?

I never thought of films as a career. I was keen on working in the retail sector of fashion merchandise. After graduating in economics from St Xaviers College, Mumbai, I trained as an actor at Kishore Namit Acting Academy, Mumbai, and realised that I enjoyed it completely. Besides, I worked as a professional dancer with Terence Lewis contemporary Dance Company, Mumbai, and realised that I could use dance as an actor. I am currently learning Kathak under Vijayshree Choudhury. It was an ad film that paved way for the auditions of Thattathin Marayathu. I love my work today.