EXCLUSIVE! #Home director Rojin Thomas: I was fascinated by how KPAC Lalitha shapeshifted into Annamma in a matter of minutes

Legendary Malayalam actor KPAC Lalitha passed away on Tuesday (Feb 22), at the age of 74. The veteran actor’s demise has left the Malayalam movie industry devastated. KPAC

Lalitha

who has acted in over 550 films in Malayalam and Tamil, has been active in the industry for over five decades.

KPAC Lalitha’s last outing was Rojin Thomas’ directorial ‘#Home’, released in 2021. Speaking exclusively to ETimes, Rojin Thomas recalls the priceless moments he shared with the veteran actor, “In ‘#Home’, towards the climax sequence, the scene where KPAC Lalithamma is present, was very crucial. Because it is the part where the backstory unfolds, and the entire fate of the movie rides on it. Also, the particular scene has a storytelling element in it and it had to be convincing. So, who else other than KPAC Lalitha amma to do the part? I consider the opportunity to have worked with her as a blessing.”

Rojin Thomas also shares that he was touched by the dedication of KPAC Lalitha. “The production of the film was happening during the second wave. So, we had to take special permission to bring an elderly person for filming. But, Lalitha amma said yes, the moment we approached her. She was very cheerful and happy to join. I have heard senior filmmakers like Sathyan Anthikad speaking about how KPAC Lalitha brings magic on screen. We narrated the script, when she came to the sets. She left us awestruck by the way she brought some delicate expressions and pulled off the scene effortlessly. I was fascinated by how KPAC Lalitha shapeshifted into Annamma in a matter of minutes,” the ‘#Home’ director added.

Rojin Thomas also went on to add that the movie wouldn’t have created the impact it did, if not for KPAC Lalitha, because the part where she narrates the flashback was pivotal, “The audience wouldn’t have believed the flashback, if it wasn’t delivered by KPAC Lalitha amma. For instance, we all have seen KPAC Lalitha, narrating the story of Nagavalli to Ganga (Shobana) in ‘Manichithrathazhu’. Though she is verbally narrating the story, we all felt like it was happening in front of us, because of her effective storytelling. Though I am a newbie, I have noticed that she has a certain way of narrating the story. She gives some pauses, in varying intervals, which in fact brings life to the tale.”

The young director also recalled how KPAC Lalitha left him stunned, while dubbing her portions for the film. “She had some health issues, during the time of dubbing. She had low sugar, and would bring a handful of candies and chew on them. While dubbing she was chewing on the candy, but there is not a trace of it in her voice. I cannot even begin to imagine how! She was a born artist. I am lucky to have got the opportunity to see the magic in person. KPAC Lalitha’s demise is a loss to Indian cinema,” Rojin Thomas summed up.