Jyothirmayi- Against all odds

She has almost managed the impossible in the Tamil film industry- make a name for herself even after getting married. Even when she made her debut in Tamil with the song sequence in Idhaya Thirudan, Jyothirmayi was married.

But that didn't stop her from acting in films like Thalainagaram in which director Sundar C made his debut as hero.

All along, the actress had been concentrating on Malayalam too. Recently, her 'Bada Dost' with Suresh Gopi was released. On Onam, she had the supernatural thriller Moonamthoraal, in which she had co-starred with Jayaram. Her next film in Malayalam will be with Prithviraj.

In Tamil too, she had been getting herself some pretty good projects. She'll star as EVR Periyaar's first wife in the film named Periyaar. She also will be Vijayakanth's heroine in the new film Shabari.

"There are many actresses in the Tamil film industry who have disappeared after just a film or two. I'm lucky because even after three years, I'm still doing very well in Tamil," she began.

"Right now I'm acting in many interesting projects. The secret behind my survival is that I'm simply making sure that I do a variety of roles," she began.

About Periyaar-
"It was my fortune that I got an opportunity to work in the film. Acting in the film was a learning experience for me. It helped me discover myself. Your best friends help you find out your future course of life. Similarly, the kind of roles that you play helps you grow as a person."

About Item Numbers-
I've been getting plenty of offers to appear in item numbers. But I'm refusing all of them. If the song is blended naturally with the story and if the costumes aren't very glamorous and vulgar, I wouldn't mind accepting such offers. But, the ones that came to me weren't of this type.

Difference between Malayalam and Tamil films-
I have acted in more than 20 Malayalam films until now. All of them are family-based films. In Malayalam films, stories play a crucial role. In Tamil, most roles are simply one-dimensional. But in Malayalam, you live your life on the screen- as a lover, wife, and mother...your character evolves in the story.

About her new film with Vijayakanth-
With Vijayakanth, I'm working in the film named Shabari. My character's name is Nandini. Shooting is on at a hectic pace, night and day. I fight a lot with him in this film. My character begins as his girlfriend and eventually gets married to him and raises a family with him in the film. Playing such roles is always more interesting. You get a chance to exhibit your acting skills.

About her friends in the Malayalam cine industry-
I don't normally treat anybody as strangers. Each year, Malayalam stars gather in Dubai for star nites. You get a chance to interact with everybody. And, you become friendly with all your contemporaries. There are no close friends. There are no enemies either.

Big ambitions-
Jyothirmayi is serious about becoming a director someday. She has joined as apprentice with some of the best directors in the industry. The first step is to make a short film. She says that she even has a script ready for it.

Its only a matter of time before the film happens.

Well, congratulations!