‘Surviving in cinema is a major challenge’: Honey Rose opens up on career, Vinayan’s viral remarks

Abu Dhabi: Actress Honey Rose has said she shares a close bond with director Vinayan, adding that some of his recent remarks, which later went viral, were intended purely to motivate her.

During the trailer launch of Rachel, a comment by Vinayan about the actress drew widespread attention on social media. He had stated: “The salary that Malayalam actresses get for 10 films today, Honey Rose will make in one year.”

Speaking at the Kerala Property Expo in Abu Dhabi, organised by Mathrubhumi.com, Honey Rose addressed the discussion surrounding his remarks.

“I was able to respond confidently during the ‘Boche’ issue. One has to pass through many situations in life, that’s over now. Surviving in cinema is a major challenge,” she said.

“I mentioned that I continue in cinema because of such challenges. Rachel is one of the best characters in my twenty-year film career,” Honey Rose added.

Rachel trailer launch event

At the trailer launch of her film Rachel, actor Honey Rose surprised fans with her candid reflections on her career in Malayalam cinema. The actress admitted that the industry did not necessarily need her, saying, “If you ask me if Malayalam cinema needs me, the answer is no. I am the one who is just clinging on.”

Honey Rose credited directors Vinayan and Lal Jose for giving her opportunities that shaped her journey. “It’s been ten or twenty years in the film industry. Vinayan sir held my hand and brought me into cinema. I think what must have been going through Vinayan sir’s mind was, ‘Maybe she will make it with this one at least’,” she said.

She also spoke about her approach to roles, adding, “I didn’t need a lot of roles to come my way. I have always been someone who wished to choose the best from what arrived and prayed for it. It has been a huge passion of mine.”

Honey Rose expressed her excitement about Rachel, calling it a project that felt particularly special. “Some films are like that; we feel that they will have God’s signature on them. Rachel was a film that made me feel that way,” she said. She added that while the film was woman-centric, it was also a commercial entertainer with a layered character for her to portray.

Director Vinayan, who launched the Rachel trailer alongside Honey Rose, also praised her career and work ethic. He remarked that Honey Rose earned more than the highest-paid Malayalam actresses through inaugurations and events.

“Honey had been making good money in a year from inaugurations than any other top-paid Malayalam actresses earned from ten movies combined, but as she said, passion and good films mattered more than money. When small films succeeded, it felt like a huge achievement,” he said.