THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGY!

Are you happy to be making a comeback?
I’m happy to be back in the industry, but I don’t think it’s a comeback. I plan to pursue my studies seriously. Right now, I’m in my twelfth standard at Church Park and my exams are just a couple of months away.

How do you manage to juggle acting with studies?
It’s been difficult. Both Aniyathi Praavu and Kaadalikku Maryathaia were shot and released one after the other during ’97-’98, and I’d been busy shooting. Fortunately, I’m a commerce student, so I’ve been able to cope. As a child, in the first and second standards, I used to attend school as well as shoot. I am doing the same again now.

When you quit films eight years ago, did you think you’d be back again?
No. I had no intention of coming back. But when Uncle Fazil offered me the role in Aniyathi Praavu, I couldn’t say no to him. When I heard the story, I was keen to do the film. I’m selective about the roles I accept. I’m refusing Tamil films because there is no time. I’ll try and cope with both studies and acting and if I cannot handle it, I’ll quit films.

Today’s heroines are uninhibited. Will you fit into the ‘daring’ slot?
You are asking me if I’m bold enough (laughs). Actually I don’t know what I am , as yet. I’m still as playful as I was as a child, except that I’ve grown up physically.

Both your recent films by Fazil see you as a shy, goody-goody girl.
Are you worried that you’ll be typecast?
Between the two films, I acted in Kaikodunna Nilaavu as Mammootty’s sister, where I played a character which was exactly the opposite of the introverted Mini in Aniyathi Praavu. I had no problems doing the film, in fact, I enjoyed the variety in roles. I play a smart, dominating model in my new film, Nakshatra Taarat and a quiet, rural lass in another, a Jayaram-starrer. So, there’s no question of getting typecast.

Have you thought of the kinds of films you would like to do?
Yes. When I sign a film, the criteria I look for are the character I’ve to play, the story and the director — in that order. With these important conditions I’ve laid out for myself, too many fantastic roles are not going to come my way. But it suits me fine. I need to concentrate on my studies.

After the kind of success you’ve had, are your friends treating you the same as before? They must be in awe of you.
No, not at all. For them, I’m still the same Shalini they know. I invite them for the premiere shows, they pull my leg all the time and bring me down to earth with their teasing. I never want this to change because my friends are very important to me.

What were your best films as a child star?
Oh, there are too many films for me to recollect offhand. The ones I remember vividly are Ente Mamatti Kuttiyamma (which got her the Kerala state award), Chakkara Umma, Sandarbham, Iniyum Katha Thudarum and Oru Nokku Kanaan. Mammootty and I have acted in about twenty films together — we were a permanent father and daughter team and all the films were big hits.

When you were a child, your father went with you everywhere.
Has it changed now?
It’s still the same. He accompanies me everywhere and it’s a great support for me. The only difference is that when I was a child, he would coach me with my dialogues, and the actions for the scenes. He even taught me how to laugh in each scene, and I imitated him blindly. But now that has changed because I can emote on my own or with the director’s guidance. All story sessions are with family and together we decide what to accept and what to reject. My family is my inspiration.

Can you look after yourself in the industry?
Why should there be a problem? Most of the people I’m working with now are the people I’ve worked with as a child. For them, I’m still Baby Shalini. They’re just the same, except that they’re looking much older now.

Are you a spontaneous actress or are you a director’s artiste?
I’m a combination of both. I depend a great deal on the director’s advice and then I try to work out what I feel each time and what I’m totally comfortable with.

What are your other interests?
As a child, I learnt classical music and dance but now there is no time for it. I love listening to pop music and watching MTV. Michael Jackson is my favourite singer and I’m forever listening to his songs. There’s not much spare time any more between shooting and school. It’s very hectic actually, but I’m enjoying it too.