People call me ‘Kappa chechi’: Soumya

With her uber-chic looks and non-clichéd anchoring of her show, Soumya aka Sou Sadanandan is a lot more than a stylish VJ.
The Kappa TV host has been shouldering Film Lounge — a show that discusses classic movies across languages and continents — for the past two-and-a-half years. Also a movie actress, documentary filmmaker and aspiring feature film director, the techie-turned TV personality chats with Kochi Times, on her small screen stint, script-free anchoring and sensibilities:
How were you roped in for Film Lounge?
I have been a movie buff for long and often used to put up online posts about movies.Sumesh Lal of Kappa TV noticed them, and asked if I am open to do a show based on films, in the channel. I replied I am not confident about anchoring. However, he said that I could be myself and that the channel is trying to incorporate different varieties of shows and hosts. So I decided to give it a try. Mine was one of the first shows that went on air, right on the day of its launch.
The format and frequency of the show have changed quite a few times but I still love being part of it. I watch around 16 movies a month for the show, but the shoot for the entire period is wrapped up in a day. That gives me enough time to pursue my other interests and watch movies in peace. In the current format, I speak on Indian classics in the first half of the show and on international movies in the second. It’s a weekend show.
Your style of anchoring is hardly conventional and might be receiving some interesting feedback… Initially, the feedback was mostly about the novel theme of the show. Soon, mixed comments of my style of presentation started coming in. These days, people compliment my language and pronunciation, and youngsters tell me they want to understand movies and talk about them like I do, which is great to hear. Questions on why we aren’t talking much about classic regional movies arise at times. However, I don’t think there is a point in repeating what we know already. At the same time, we now include Indian classics too so that we can reach out to more people. People mostly know me by my programme and looks, and not by name. There are those who call me Kappa chechi (laughs). Older people used to ask me to grow my hair earlier, but I guess as the channel became popular, my tomboyish hairstyle also impressed people enough to imitate it. What you see on the show is the real me. There are times when I digress as the presentation is casual and conversational, but then I apologise and come back. Some fellow anchors have told me that their producers have also asked them not to learn the script by rote and to try my style, which, I guess, means it has impressed people (smiles).
Your recent documentary on Chembai, involving veterans like Yesudas, had made news… I have been a fan of Yesudas since school days and am an avid traveller as well. These interests landed me in Chembai, for its annual music festival. When I came to know that it’s the programme’s 100th edition, I felt an urge to do something to document it as a tribute to the legend. It took me about one year for research and discussions with like-minded friends, amid my other pursuits, to put it together. Working on it involved talking to many of his disciples and admirers including Yesudas, and that was a brilliant experience.
You are active as a film artiste and assistant director. Any plans to do more TV shows? I don’t have any interest in being completely TV-bound. I picked Film Lounge as it is a programme that makes the film student in me happy. It gives me a chance to watch many world classics and pays me for talking about what I like. The bonus is the appreciation I get. You have always expressed an interest to turn a filmmaker…
I have a few scripts ready and am mentally prepared for it too. I had approached some actors as well, but none of them have dates in the near future. Filmmaking is my ultimate dream and it is just a matter of time till it materialises.