If Malayalam film Kattapanayile Hrithik Roshan turned Prayaga Rose Martin into a star, with the recently released Ram Leela, Martin has solidified her position and now listening to interesting scripts.
Although Martin had met Dileep during the making of Kattappanayile Hrithik Roshan — he was the producer — in Ram Leela, she is paired opposite to the star.
“I was over the moon when the offer came,” remembered Martin. “I have grown up watching Dileep ettan’s films.”
She counts Dileep’s Meesa Madhavan and CID Moosa her favourite films.
Ram Leela, however, is unlike Dileep’s earlier films, she clarified. In this political thriller directed by debutant Arun Gopy, Dileep’s role of Ramunni is a serious character. Martin plays Helena, an architect who also manages an online channel.
Helena is a bold and independent woman and the actress could relate to her, Martin said. Helena plays a crucial role in the story.
“She does not hesitate to voice her opinions and it is this that impresses Ramunni. Soon a bond grows between the two,” said Martin.
She found in Dileep a supportive co-actor who helped her with tips and put her at ease during takes.
“He is an organised person. What had me in awe was when Dileep ettan [brother] stepped out of his caravan and delivered his lines in one take,” she said.
Martin’s cinema career was never planned. The grand-daughter of late Malayalam producer E.J Peter, Martin took baby steps with a cameo in Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded.
“I was in 7th standard then. My first shot was with Lal ettan [Mohanlal]. He came up to me saying ‘Don’t worry, everything will be fine.’ When I thanked him, he laughed and told me that he was rehearsing his lines actually,” he said.
Her second meeting with Mohanlal was accidental when she bumped into him at Capetown airport during a holiday to South Africa. And when the star greeted her, she was dumbstruck. Mohanlal appreciated her performance in Kattappanayile Hrithik Roshan.
“It’s a compliment I treasure,” said Martin. “I hope to work with him someday.”
Her second cameo role was in Ustad Hotel and the big break came with the Myskkin directed Tamil film Pisaasu.
Presently pursuing her Masters in travel and tourism management in a college in Ernakulam, Martin is also a trained classical dancer in bharatnatyam, mohiniattam and kuchipudi.
“I look forward to an opportunity in films where I can use my dancing skills for my character. Until now I have not got the chance,” she said.
Martin is not in a hurry to sign the dotted line. Post Ram Leela, she is listening to scripts. Her dream role is “one that only I can do and has not been played before.”
