I fasted for 75 days to act in 'Malikappuram': Devananda

Unni Mukundan’s ‘Malikappuram’ is slowly but steadily turning out to be a winner at the box office. And sure enough child actor Devananda who played Malikappuram is also getting a lot of accolades. Devananda who is studying in 4th grade at Kalamassery Rajagiri Public school has been acting from a very young age. She made her debut in ‘Thottappan’ and went on to act in ‘Minnal Murali’, ‘My Santa’ as well as in upcoming films like ‘2018’ and ‘Neymar.’ Little Devananda admits to feeling elated to be part of ‘Malikappuram.’ She talks about the joy of playing Malikappuram to Manorama online.

 

Happy to be cast in 'Malikappuram'

In 2018 I have acted in one of the films of the producer of 'Malikappuram'. That’s why they called me for the auditions of ‘Malikappuram.’ The film’s director Vishnu chettan and scriptwriter Abhilash chettan took my audition.

I am happy to have got the opportunity to play Malikappuram. I am getting a lot of calls after the release of the film. And it is getting good reviews. Now all are calling me Malikappuram. And I feel happy to hear it.

 

In life also I was like Kallu mol

I fasted for 75 days for this film. It was also my first trip to Sabarimala. Like my character Kallu mol in the film, I was also able to meet Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala. The film’s shoot happened during the interim period when the temple was open to the public. Therefore I had the opportunity to offer my prayers to Lord Ayyappa. We had to shoot for many days in a forest and we had to climb mountains and hills to reach the destination.

 

Fun with friends

We were all like one big family on the sets. It was fun to act with Unni chettan. He was so caring, and he would help me when I needed guidance. The shooting was there for 75 days. I got so much love from Saiju Uncle (who played my father in the film) and Alphy Chechi (who played my mom). My co-star was Sripad. There were many kids who had come to act with us during the school portions. And we had a whale of a time.

 

'Thottappan' was my first film

I first acted in 'Thottappan'. According to my father, it was cinematographer Saran Velayudhan who approached him after seeing my photo on Facebook. I was 3.5 years old then. And I acted in Thottappan a year later. After that, I acted in ‘Minnal Murali,’ Dileep uncle’s ‘My Santa’, Vineeth chettan’s ‘Simon Daniel’, ‘Heaven’, ‘Teacher’ (played Amala Paul’s junior version). It is in ‘Malikappuram’ that I am doing a full-length role.

 

Family

My father Jibin is a businessman and my mom Preetha is a government employee. I am studying in 4th grade at Rajagiri Public School. My teachers and classmates are very supportive in school. My parents take down my daily notes and teach me. And for the ones I didn’t understand my teachers will help. I love acting as well as studying. I want to do both.

 

New films

Jude Antony’s ‘2018’, ‘Neymer,’ ‘Somante Krithavu’.