I didn’t take a break; I was very much here

It has been a while since we saw State Award winning actress Rima Kallingal on the big screen. After her marriage to director Aashiq Abu, it seemed like she was taking it slow on the film front. However, Rima asserts that she never took a break from films, but was only waiting for the right projects. The actress, who will be seen next in a spoof film, speaks about her latest projects, married life, spat with her trolls and more…
You seem to have become choosy about films after your marriage…
Marriage has changed nothing for me.Why is marriage so much of an issue? I will do all kinds of films as long as they excite me as a performer.
Earlier, married actresses did not have much space in the industry. Do you think the trend has changed now and better roles are being offered to them?
Yes, we have come a long way and that’s because so many women are being heard now. It is a slow revolution. You can see it all around you. Look at the brilliant women around us who are coming out of their shells. What you see in the industry or in our movies is just a reflection of that.
You signed the film Chirakodinja Kinavukal after a gap. What made you take up this project?
I never took a break. I was just busy convincing everybody that I’m very much here. Chirakodinja Kinavukal excited me because for a change I am not doing the ‘bold character’ and also because it is easily one of the most brilliant scripts I have come across
recently.
A spoof film in Malayalam cinema is something new. How was it being a part of an experimental film?
It was extremely tough and fun at the same time. Tough because I don’t have any parallels to draw and compare and fun because there were no boundaries. There was so much space for experimenting, learning and growing.
We hear your next is Rani Padmini helmed by your husband Aashiq. Do you think working with him will help you deliver better?
I always perform better when I vibe well with a team — be it the director, the cinematographer or my co-stars. It really helps and that shows in movies like Rithu, City of God, Nidra, Escape from Uganda and of course 22 Female Kottayam. Aashiq knows me as a person, and so much more today as an artiste.
Are you excited to work with Manju Warrier?
I am super excited to work with her. I have always looked up to her; she is an inspiration. It is going to be a treat to observe and borrow from her tremendous energy.
You and Aashiq were dragged into cocaine controversy following the arrest of actor Shine Tom Chacko. There were trolls and criticisms against you. Did the incident affect you?
Recently, Monica Lewinsky spoke about the culture of shame and cyber bullying and how we have sowed the seeds of public humiliation in our cultural land. We are becoming insensitive as a race and need to look at the larger picture.
Have you ever regretted raising your voice against an issue?
On the contrary, I regret not having raised my voice against several issues.