Surabhi Lakshmi says she has no qualms about being left out of the IFFK inaugural. Thiruvananthapuram: National award winner Surabhi, who was here for the parallel screening of her movie Minnaminingu, alongside the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), says she has no qualms about being left out of the IFFK inaugural. In a candid chat with Onmanorama, Surabhi talks about her reel life after winning the national award.
Excerpts from the interview:
Are you getting more such good roles after winning the national award?
I didn’t expect to win the national award for my performance in Minnaminingu and it was really a memorable moment in my life. Many people congratulated me and among them were great artists whom I never thought would ever call me and wish me best. Before winning the award, I used to get two to three scenes in a movie. It has now increased to five or six but I am happy for that. Some people even approached me with more art films but I am not sure whether it’s happening. But no one has so far called me to do a lead role in any mainstream movie.
Do you think a National Award could bring you good roles in big budget movies?
I don’t think I will get to do big movies just because I got a national award. I still do not have the luxury to be choosy. Instead, I have grabbed almost all chances to get into main roles. Minnaminingu was such an opportunity to show my skills. My idea was to have a good film in my profile and thanks to Minnaminingu. I think it will take some time to get my own space in mainstream films.
Every year IFFK gets into controversies and this time it was your statement that you were denied a pass.
One needs to be invited to be on the dais at IFFK. When someone asked me about why I was not present at the inaugural function while the state award winner was seen, I just said I was not invited. The statement was not meant to create a controversy. It is like we missing out on people for functions back home. I would like to see it that way. I really don’t have any complaints for not calling me, denying me a pass, or not honoring me at IFFK.
What was the response you got from the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy when you claimed that you were denied a pass?
Kamal sir had called me the next day after I said I had not got a pass. He said the academy had no intention to avoid me and the pass was ready. He also said they were planning to invite me for the concluding ceremony. Later, I received an invitation card. Since I had already signed up for an event in Fjera, Croatia, I informed them that I would not be attending this function.
What made you leave the Women in Cinema Collective?
When we all formed WCC, I couldn’t actively participate in the various discussions. When I sit down to check the messages in the group after finishing my work, it would be late or a decision would have already been taken. So, I tend to keep quiet. When I found that my silence was not going well with the members, I decided to leave. I believe that it is everyone’s responsibility in the industry to support the women here and I can support their functions even staying outside. It doesn’t matter whether I stay in the organization or not.
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