Rima Kallingal, after a brief hiatus, is all set to return to cinemas with Sajin Babu’s (Biriyaani fame) Theatre - The Myth of Reality. Marking the ace actor’s comeback to the big screen, the film will hit theatres later this month. It delves into the intricacies of a mother and her daughter who, in a world where solitude is voluntary, create a serene and devoted life on a remote island. But things change when a brief moment shared online suddenly thrusts them into the intense glare of social media.

Rima, notably excited about the project, engaged in an enlightening conversation with The New Indian Express (Express Dialogues — an interactive session). In the conversation, which lasted nearly an hour, Rima, who made her debut in Shyama Prasad’s Ritu back in 2009, discussed her journey in the industry so far.

The actor, an active member of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), has always been vocal about the discrimination and harassment faced by women in cinema, calling out gender disparity and unequal treatment.

In the context of the explosive Hema Committee report that rocked the Malayalam film industry, Rima reflected during the deep conversation on how she treads the difficult path — the thin line between being a performer and an activist.

Known for her meaningful work in Malayalam cinema for over a decade, Rima is married to the enterprising director Aashiq Abu.

What has got the internet talking are Rima’s candid remarks about ‘marriage’ as an institution during the Express Dialogues — indeed, quite an intriguing take.

Talking about her marriage with Aashiq, Rima said:

“A lot of this stems from unseen conditioning handed down through generations. I came to understand that I was just playing a role… chasing validation for maintaining a ‘perfect home.’ It took time to realize that the institution itself wasn’t meant for me — it was created by men, for men. I regret agreeing to it (signing that paper). Love doesn’t require formal approval… I will continue to love fully, regardless of it.”

Interestingly, Rima had once said that while marriage didn’t completely change Aashiq Abu’s life, it did completely change hers.

As their works and artistic expressions testify, both Rima and Aashiq Abu seem to be liberal-minded people. When the interviewer asked whether problems pop up between them, she was quick to say,

“No, there’s no problem between us. The issue lies with marriage as an institution — it doesn’t add value but only creates pressure. Our love has only grown stronger. We only signed because our parents expected it, but it’s really a product of ingrained conditioning.”

When asked whether her partner would say the same about marriage, Rima replied:

“No, he’ll have his own perspective. But we truly understand each other. Both of us are strong-willed, yet it’s love that keeps us together — not the marriage certificate. Aashiq and I are quite different; he’s passionate about tech and AI, while I’m more old-fashioned. I still write things by hand and have no clue how AI works. We sometimes clash creatively, and that’s perfectly okay. Marriage hasn’t diminished our individuality. We’re just two unique people who happen to share one signature.”

At a time when there are increasing discussions about the feasibility, conditions, and ultimate purpose that marriage serves — when expectations, commitments, and ways to pursue marital life are being deliberated, rewritten, and restructured through necessary corrective actions — Rima’s statements add to the growing discourse on the new meaning of marriage, the ways to approach it for greater equality, and better mental health for both partners.