I don’t think I perform well in auditions as I get tensed up: Anu Sithara

Anu Sithara looks quite at home and joyful as Arjun carries her on his back.
Wearing a big garland and playfully holding a mahout’s stick, she ‘sits pretty’ atop the majestic elephant. When she shared the photo from the movie Aana Alaralodalaral online, it clearly made many envious too. The actress, who just wrapped up shooting for the movie and is set to join Ranjith’s Bilathikatha in London, lets us in on what’s happening in her life:
The aana doesn’t seem to be on alaral mode but very happy in your company.
(Laughs) That’s our Sekharankutty of Aana Alaralodalaral. His real name is Arjun. What’s funny is that generally, I am really scared of animals such as cats and dogs. I can watch them from a distance or admire their cuteness, but if they move towards me, I will panic like all hell broke loose. But with elephants, it’s a totally different story.
I have no issues touching them or interacting with them closely. A few years ago, when I went for a programme, they made me climb upon an elephant. I guess after that, I started feeling at ease with the jumbos. Also, Arjun was very friendly. Ask him to do anything and he is game for it. Moreover, he is an experienced ‘actor’. Though this is his first Malayalam film, I guess he has worked in Kannada and Telugu movies. When ‘action’ is called out, Arjun would maintain his positions and we used to wonder on the set how he gets it right, so well.
The only time I felt scared was when I had to climb upon him using a ladder. But still, it was a memorable experience, overall.
What’s your character’s connection with the elephant in the movie?
I can’t divulge that at the moment, but can say that it’s a crucial part in the story. My character Parvathy is a village belle, but she is very daring and outspoken.
You must be looking forward to working with Ranjith in Bilathikatha?
We haven’t started the shoot yet and most probably, I will leave for London in a few days, for its shoot. The visa process is still on. It felt great when Ranjith sir called me and offered the role, especially this initial phase of my career. I am not in a position to speak about the project, but am very thrilled to work with him, in such a movie.
It’s also my first time travelling to London. I have been to a few Gulf countries before, but never to Europe. I will be there for around 45 days and if time permits, I wish I get to check out the place a bit too. But then again, I feel sad to leave Kerala, even though it’s just for a few days, as I tend to get homesick.
You had recently said online that you auditioned for Parava, but weren’t picked for the film.
Soon after Happy Wedding, I heard that Soubin chettan is directing his first movie and had called for an audition. It wasn’t for any specific role. My husband Vishnu sent my stills too, post which I got the call for its audition. I gave the audition but wasn’t selected. After that episode, I understood that I don’t have what it takes to perform well in an audition. I get scared, probably because I see a lot of talented people there and that gets me tensed up.
There were reports that you have joined the sets of Mammootty’s Kozhi Thankachan.
No. It’s fake news.