Some thought I was fat, wondered why Gautham Menon signed me, says 'Oru Vadakkan Selfie' actress Manjima Mohan

The pretty, bubbly actress couldn’t have asked for a better debut in Tamil and Telugu cinema. Actress Manjima Mohan had a superhit Malayalam film in Oru Vadakkan Selfie when she got a call from ace director Gautham Menon for a Tamil-Telugu bilingual. Titled Achcham Enbadhu Madamaiyada in Tamil starring Simbu and Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo in Telugu starring Naga Chaitanya, Manjima essays the lead female role in both. In an exclusive chat with dna, the 22-year-old actress talks about her film, co-stars and what she’s looking forward to.

How did you feel when you got the call from director Gautham Menon? 
I studied in Stella Maris College in Chennai and we used to hang out at this coffee shop where we used to see Gautham sir. I told my friends then that in five years I would do a film with him and couldn’t believe it when he actually called! I was really excited that I would be working with him and said yes immediately. I didn’t ask for the script but they narrated the gist of the story to me. I know that Gautham sir is the best director when it comes to portraying women beautifully on screen. 

Naga Chaitanya with Manjima Mohan

You are working with both Simbu and Naga Chaitanya. What are they like?
Naga Chaitanya comes from such a big Telugu film family but he is extremely simple and grounded. He is very professional. Simbu is also professional and he helps me out with things like camera angles and technical aspects. I have seen Simbu around in Chennai and now I am actually working with him! I respect both of them a lot.

Watch the teaser of 'Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo' here:

After doing one Malayalam film, you are now making your debut in both the Tamil and Telugu film industry.
Though my role was not a very big one in Oru Vadakkan Selfie, it was an important one. I really liked the character and I did the film. I am nervous now about my debut in both Tamil and Telugu. (Laughs) But then I couldn’t have asked for a better debut in both these industries than a Gautham Menon film. I was more thrilled about the Tamil film than the Telugu one initially because I hadn’t watched much of Telugu cinema. I didn’t know the language either so I wasn’t sure if I could do it. But Gautham sir told me that Telugu is a beautiful language and assured me that I could pull it off. Now I am much more confident.

Watch the teaser of 'Achcham Enbadhu Madamaiyada' here:

What was the reaction of the Malayalam film industry when you signed this film?
People were shocked! (Laughs) They were wondering why Gautham Menon signed me. ‘She’s so fat, why did he sign her?’  In fact, when I was signed for Oru Vadakkan Selfie my director told me to lose weight. After the movie released also, many people told me I was fat and others used to wonder why I am even in the film industry. It affected me a lot initially. I used to stand in front of the mirror and look at myself and ask, “Am I so fat?” My dad, who’s a cinematographer, explained to me that on screen a person appears even larger. I started to work out and get more toned. I enjoy going to the gym now. But Gautham sir hasn’t restricted me from eating or told me to lose weight. You don’t get many directors who’ll actually let you be yourself!

Are you worried you’ll lose out roles to ‘slimmer’ actresses? 
My dad told me that what is destined for me will come to me and I strongly believe that. I don’t think if you are an actress it’s necessary to be thin or size zero – it’s important to be healthy and you should look good on screen. But now I find actresses in Malayalam cinema are also conscious about their physical appearance and work out.

Are there things you won’t do on screen?
I’m open to doing all types of roles. However, I know that in some Gautham sir’s films there were on-screen kisses. I told him I am not comfortable with kissing on screen – at least at this point in my career - and he understood. I also want to wear what I am comfortable with. If there’s an outfit I am not comfortable with – even if it’s a salwar – I won’t wear it on screen.

Simbu and Manjima on set

Are you looking forward to the audience’s reaction when the movies release?
More than the audience’s reaction, I am just waiting to see myself on screen in a Gautham Menon film with A R Rahman’s music! I just can’t wait! (Laughs)