As I was always busy with dance, acting, giving performances on stage, and even studies, I had no time for other hobbies and I hope to make more time for other things once I am settled.
Shamna Kasim
Ravi Babu's films are known to have its heroines playing prominent roles. Further, all the heroines he has cast in his films are well-established, known faces. I consider myself lucky to have been considered by him to play Mohini.
I love experimenting with roles and that's what keeps me hungry for versatile roles.
Tamil is almost like my mother tongue and for quite some time, I had been concentrating on Telugu.
Moreover, I am confident when I act without make-up; I feel free, as there is no hindrance.
I hail from an orthodox family, but they encouraged me to learn various dance forms.
In Tamil and Telugu films, I am not called for stylish roles and often play rustic or unglamorous roles in them.
I was doubtful whether I can play overly glamorous characters, as I am not slim. But, I was amazed at the kind of fame that came my way in Tollywood.
I love simple dresses and use only minimal make up.
I have regretted saying no' to a director who wanted to bank on my dancing skills for an amazing role in the past.
I don't want to star in films for the sake of acting.
After I got my head tonsured, I stopped taking up projects, and have been very choosy because my hairstyle doesn't suit every role. A few filmmakers even asked me to act with a wig, but I don't want to do that.
Like every girl, I had dreams of marriage, but I got victimized in a cheating scandal. When the proposal came through the family, everyone was happy. I had started talking to him with the consent of both families and after a week, all of a sudden, we got to know that I wasn't even speaking with the person whose picture had been given to us.
I have a very strong family.
I sometimes just break down and cry.
My family has been thinking of arranging my marriage for over a year now. At one point I too thought it would be fine.
I have complete faith and trust in our criminal justice system.
I made my debut in 2004 as a fresh faced teenager in a small role in director Kamal's Manjupoloru Penkutty.'
I am glad that I had to work my way up and was not handed anything on a platter.
Dance has given me so many opportunities including a foothold into filmdom.
When I am not acting or practising dance, you'll find me fast asleep!
Don't compare me to veteran actor Lakshmi who immortalised Julie in director Sethumadhavan's Chattakkari.' It's so unnerving.
Rarely do heroine-oriented films happen in the film industry.
Just because I am a Muslim doesn't mean that I need to live in a certain way and sport a certain look.
Asking Muslims to stay away from social media is downright absurd.
People think if you are an actor or a social figure, you have more freedom in life. But that's not the case.
When people question me too much, I generally ask them if such rules are applicable to someone like actor Mammootty. They reply, Mammootty is a man and you are a woman. You aren't supposed to do certain things.' And I go like, Why not? Are there separate rules for Muslim men and women?'
I have always wondered why I don't get as many good roles in Malayalam as I do in other languages.
I have not come this far in one shot, and I have undergone struggles. My life was built step by step.
I used to do semi-classical dance as a child; I did not have a choreographer, but my mother gave me a cassette to learn from.
In our religion, there are people who might be conservative about practicing dance after marriage, but I don't want anything or anyone to come between me and my dance.
Avunu's stellar run at the BO and the positive response from the audience was such that most scripts coming my way from Telugu have been from the horror genre!
There are offers, but I would sign the dotted line only when a project excites me enough to spare time for it.
In Santhosh Sethumadhavan's remake of the yesteryear hit, Chattakkari,' I was required to wear short skirts and frocks as I play an Anglo-Indian girl in it. But my role as Julie is hardly a show of glamour.
Ever since I gave the nod for Chattakari,' I've been flooded with offers from the Malayalam film industry, like never before.
I was approached for the remake of Maniyara,' the yesteryear film that starred actors Mammootty and Seema in the lead.
I am playing a brave girl in Thagararu.' I was told by the director that Madurai girls are naturally brave and during my shoots in the city, I realized that this is true about the girls from Madurai.
As a person who keeps away from horror flicks for fear of losing sleep over it - not just for days but months together - Avunu' was a great experience for me.
Be it a cameo, a character role or a lead role, I am happy that people are finally recognising my acting calibre and are casting me in their films.
Frankly speaking, ever since my debut, I have been offered cop roles. However, I never felt confident about pulling them off, probably due to my short physique or the absence of the required traits in me.
Even when I was bald, I loved seeing myself in the mirror, loved the attention that came with it and flaunted the look. It gave me a lot of confidence too.
I am scared when I hear the word 'marriage' but I cannot say to my family that I don't want to marry at all.
I am not called for good roles in Malayalam films for reasons which I cannot fathom.
It has been ten years since I stepped into the industry and I have done a lot of song and dance and romantic films.
When working under experienced filmmakers, many artistes tend to get nervous.
Wearing wigs don't work for all characters.
At times, I would decide to keep myself completely free for a week to relax. But, after the second day, I would feel bored and tell myself, You better do something.'
I don't say no to dance shows on TV channels as they have always served as stress busters. I thoroughly enjoy dancing.
A lot of substantial roles are coming my way from Tamil and Telugu, and I am happy with the way my career is progressing.
Dance gives me a lot of confidence and helps me overcome all my insecurities in personal and professional life.
