Saritha JayasuryaSaritha Jayasurya wears many a hats. As a homemaker, taking care of her two children Advaith and Vedha as well as her husband Jayasurya, as an entrepreneur running a fashion boutique called Déjà vu at Panampilly Nagar in Kochi, and the latest as a costume designer in Mollywood. The new Ranjith Shankar film, Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam has paved way for Saritha’s signature entry into cinema as a costume designer. She shares her thoughts on her passion, likes and family life.
How has business been at your boutique Déjà vu?
It’s going really good, thanks to the excellent and supporting team at the store. Even if I have to be away, things run pretty smoothly without any roadblocks.
Saritha Jayasurya (right) with her husband and Malayalam film actor JayasuryaYou hold a Bachelor's degree in Micro Biology, and a Master's degree in Biotechnology. Now, you have ventured into a business and profession which is something totally different. When did this craze for fashion designing start?
In fact what I dreamt of was to be a research scholar. Science was a field that I really liked. And again life is always surprising us at every turn, and nothing goes according to our plans. After marriage, I felt I should get into a profession that has something to do with his field. Jayan will always be busy with his travels and schedules. In the Biotechnology field, the job opportunities are mostly abroad and both of us give priority to family life more than career choices. So whatever profession we chose could not be one that compromises family. I have no regrets about that either. Once my son started school, and there was so much free time, I tried my hand at designing. At first, I experimented with clothes for my friends and family and now it has extended to film characters!
How was your experience designing costumes for Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam?
Poster of Su Su Sudhi VaathmeekamThis is actually not my first film. I have done Jayan’s costumes for the film Punyalan Agarbatis. That was a home production. When Ranjith Shankar came home for the discussions of Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam, he mentioned that I do the costuming. First I was supposed to do it just for Sivadha, but then it happened for Swathi too. While for one it was modern costumes, the other had traditional outfits. I just designed according to the style required by the film. As it was a home production, I was very comfortable. Most of Sivadha’s costumes were silk based. Mughal print dupattas have been used. This is a new trend now. Even at our shop there are Mughal print sarees and suits which has many takers. The experience was very homely as it was our own production.
Did your husband interfere in your work, especially with regards to the costumes that were designed for him?
Saritha Jayasurya (left) with her husband and Malayalam film actor JayasuryaJayan does not interfere that much in my work. But we do discuss on this. He gives suggestions based on the colour tones and most of it is incorporated!
About Jayasurya’s sense of fashion?
Saritha Jayasurya (right) with her husband and Malayalam film actor JayasuryaYes of course! Both in his personal life as well as in films he maintains a good sense of fashion. He is aware of the latest trends and takes care to stay updated and modify accordingly.
Can we expect you in films again?
I haven’t thought about that at all. This was a home production and I did it mainly due to the comfort factor. For other films you need to be available all through. When we decide to do something, we should be able to put in our 100% attention to the task at hand. We can’t depend on assistants to complete the tasks for us. Just for the sake of it, I don’t think it is wise to accept projects that I am not sure about. Next month I am conducting an exhibition at Kottayam and I am at present busy with that.
What are your most preferred choices of attire?
Saritha Jayasurya (left) with her husband and Malayalam film actor JayasuryaThat again varies according to the situations. I love wearing sarees. But while travelling, I prefer casual wear. Most importantly whatever I wear has to be comfortable. It is always better to dress according to our body type.
Who inspired you to come into this field?
The inspiration needn’t be from an individual. It can come from nature, from colours, but just that the inspired creations should not be copies. There has to be innovative elements and a uniqueness to it.
What is your take on the dressing trends of the new generation?
The new generation kids don’t just blindly follow the latest fads. They prefer to dress for the occasion. They have mixed preferences, but they always want what they wear to be different from the rest. They like to stand apart with their signature dressing styles.
Managing the family, the textile business and dress designing, how are you able to allocate time for everything?
Saritha Jayasurya (second from the left) with her husband and Malayalam film actor Jayasurya are seen sitting with their childrenIt’s all a matter of time management. It is up to us to find the time. When I am teaching the children, I concentrate only on that. I don’t work when Jayan is at home. When you can adjust to situations and act accordingly, there is no room for complaints.
What are your hopes and dreams, when it comes to family?
Dreams and desires never cease, they keep changing, taking on different forms. I just wish to earnestly and sincerely do the tasks entrusted to me. What keeps me going is the complete support I get from my family. A special kind of backing that I have no words to describe. More than running around and working with exhaustion, I prefer to do my work in a relaxed setting around my family.
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