‘I had to act in those movies, it was painful...’ Revathi reflects on her film journey

Veteran actress Revathi, known for her iconic performances in South Indian cinema, has reflected on a difficult phase in her career.

Revathi made her Malayalam debut in 1983 with Kattathe Kilikkoodu and has since been recognised for her powerful and critically acclaimed performances. With a career spanning over 30 years, she has appeared in more than 100 films across Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi cinema.

The actress has won three National Film Awards, seven Filmfare Awards South, and the Kerala State Film Award for her role in Bhoothakaalam (2022). In a recent interview with Mahila Ratnam, she revealed that she was once compelled to act in two films she didn’t like due to a lack of options, describing it as a painful period in her life.

Despite her success, Revathi admitted that not all of her career choices were voluntary, recalling a time when she had no alternative but to take up films she wasn’t passionate about.

"I love cinema immensely. I never saw it as just a way to make money. If I had, my entire philosophy about films would have been invalidated," she said.

Speaking about this emotionally difficult phase, Revathi shared that even though the films she disliked were commercially successful, she remained deeply troubled by having to compromise on her choices.

"It was a painful time. No one knew what I was going through. When I had no other options, I acted in two films that I didn’t like. It worried me a lot. But since then, I have stayed true to my choices and only taken up roles I genuinely believe in," she added.

Despite these challenges, Revathi’s commitment to meaningful cinema has remained unwavering, and she continues to be an inspiration for actors across generations. She also expressed gratitude for the recognition she has received from younger artists.

"Many supporting actresses have said in interviews that they would love to act in characters like the ones I have played. Hearing that makes me happy," she said.

Over the years, Revathi has been part of several memorable films, including Devaasuram (1993) and Agnidevan (1995), where she starred alongside Mohanlal in critically acclaimed performances. Her candid revelations offer a glimpse into the struggles many actors face in the industry, making her journey a testament to artistic integrity, resilience, and perseverance.