Mollywood actress Jyothirmayi, known for her subtle, sweet girl performances, had made a remarkable comeback to the big screen with the psychological thriller Bougainvillea. The movie, now streaming on OTT, has earned her rave reviews and the title of “comeback queen.” In a candid conversation with Mathrubhumi, Jyothirmayi opened up about her experience working with industry legends Mohanlal and Mammootty, her fun moments with Fahadh Faasil on set, and her thoughts on the growing influence of OTT platforms.
Speaking about her admiration for superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty, Jyothirmayi revealed, "Fingers crossed. I wish to work again with them...I really look at them with a lot of respect and admiration. We grew up watching their films and they were the heartthrobs of teenagers."
In addition to her aspirations of working with Mohanlal and Mammootty, Jyothirmayi shared some fun moments from the Bougainvillea set, particularly with her co-actor Fahadh Faasil. "Fahadh and Nazriya are very close to us... We are like family," she said, recalling a lighthearted moment while filming a serious scene. "During one of our serious scenes, we couldn't stop laughing at each other. After a point, Amal said, 'Hey, hello, you are the producer. Be serious. Let’s finish up the scene,” Jyothirmayi laughed as she shared the behind-the-scenes fun.
When asked about the shift in the industry and the growing role of OTT platforms, Jyothirmayi spoke about how the digital space is a game-changer for actors and movies alike. "OTT really helps the movie to have a longer life... It reaches a wider audience, and in a way, we as actors get more acceptance,” she explained. With Bougainvillea now available to a global audience, the actress believes the film's OTT release has given it the exposure it deserves.
For those still considering whether to watch Bougainvillea, Jyothirmayi gave a thrilling preview of the film. "Do you enjoy an adrenaline rush? Then Bougainvillea is for you. The movie only gets more intense as it progresses,” she teased. Reflecting on her favourite scene from the film, Jyothirmayi said, "My favourite moment is when Reethu (Jyothirmayi) takes the gun and points it at Royce (Kunchacko Boban)."
Jyothirmayi also opened up about her personal journey and how the film helped her overcome fears, like dealing with water during the shoot. "I'm a little scared of water, but I had scenes where I had to face it, which was a bit challenging for me. But I’m proud that I could push through it," she shared.
Having been away from the industry for almost 11 years, Jyothirmayi attributed her return to Bougainvillea to the film’s gripping storyline and the encouragement of her director husband, Amal Neerad. "It was Amal's persuasion that made me do this movie. I trusted his instinct, and I followed his guidance. I knew from the moment I did the first scene that this was going to be a project that would give me an adrenaline rush," she explained.
Reflecting on her hiatus, Jyothirmayi shared, "The break was more of an unlearning process. I completely had forgotten that I was an actor and about myself. I had forgotten all these years because my priorities were different at that time."
Speaking about her return to acting, she mentioned how she initially hesitated. "I asked Amal, do you think it was a good idea? Why don't you pick somebody who has a much better market value? There are a lot of actresses who are really doing well. Why don't you pick them?" she recalled. "He said, no, I will do this movie only if you say yes to this... So then I was in a position where I had to say yes."
While discussing her role in Bougainvillea, Jyothirmayi revealed that her hairstyle for the film was suggested by Amal. "I had much longer hair, but Amal thought for the character, it would be wise to have much shorter hair. So that's why we made it short for the character. And then the shaven look for the last climax. Now for the time being, yes, this is going to be my hairstyle," she laughed.
Despite her return to the industry, Jyothirmayi remains selective about future roles. "Any kind of project that excites me would be the measuring point," she said, keeping her options open for exciting scripts that come her way.
Published: 14 Dec 2024, 05:29 pm IST
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