“I am not that beautiful; So, I never expected lead roles; But I could make everyone laugh"

There is a scene in the movie ‘Anubhavangal Palichakal’. Actor Sathyan’s character Chellappan was digging up the soil bed of coconut tree in the farm. Then a girl approaches him slowly with romantic expressions. She is Parvathy, member of the family who offered a hideout for Chellappan. Though he is a hard worker and rough person, Parvathy admires him. While talking to him, she fells shy and starts biting a leaf seen near.

None other than KPAC Lalitha can ace that comedy scene with a legendary actor like Sathyan. She has been an active presence in the Malayalam film industry for several decades. No matter what type of role she gets, Lalitha could handle it with ease and make it perfect. Lalitha’s talent was inimitable as she was trained in both platforms of acting - theatre and cinema.

In an interview, KPAC Lalitha had once opened up – “I am not that beautiful, right? So, I never expected lead roles like heroine. But I could make the audience laugh though different roles. That happiness is more precious than awards. Talking about my co-actors, the movies in which I was paired with Innocent were much adored by the fans. We have a special chemistry between us. I am deeply sad when I remember that many actors with whom I worked are no more. But I was fortunate enough to continue in film industry for so long. I’m grateful my directors for giving me opportunities. As an actor, I’m content with what I have done so far.”

KPAC Lalitha always did a magical performance with her unique sound modulation in the comedy scenes. Not many actors have that talent. Unlike Sukumari, KPAC Lalitha mostly played roles of village women such as those who live in poor background, who loves gossiping, who is jealous and smart and who is talkative and innocent. Characters like Pattalam Madhavi of ‘Vietnam Colony’ and Eliyamma of ‘Kottayam Kunjachan’ are only a few examples to prove what a versatile actor she was.

Lalitha’s innumerous roles which left the audience speechless include the angry superintendent in ‘Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu’, Elizabeth in ‘Ice Cream’, Kochammini in ‘Godfather’, Achayamma in ‘Megham’, Allu in ‘Pai Brothers’, Bhasura in ‘Manichithrathazhu’, Elikutty in ‘Injakkadan Mathai’, Bhageerathi in ‘Ponmutta Idunna Tharavu’, Malavika in ‘Adyathe Kanmani’ and many more. Her role as serial actress Akashavani in ‘Varane Avashyamund’ also was widely appreciated.