Mollywood starlet Ann Saleem talks about her films, passion for cinema, celebrity status and more
For this free spirited, young girl from Calicut, the silver screen has been a dream since childhood. So when opportunity came knocking, she didn’t pause to take the plunge. She was chosen to participate in ‘Nayika Nayakan’, a popular talent hunt aired in Mazhavil Manorama channel for aspiring actors, who were to be judged and mentored by ace Mollywood director Lal Jose, stars Kunchacko Boban and Samvrutha Sunil. Her performance turned out to be a launch pad that landed her in films with top film directors like Lal Jose, Aashiq Abu and Kamal. Ritz catches up with the young starlet, Ann Saleem, who is all set to chase her dreams!
Interview: Riya Sonny Datson
Photographer: Shafi Shakkeer
Costume Courtesy: Riboni
Makeup: Unni
From an interior designer at Pepperfry, Goa to the TV Show, ‘Nayika Nayikan’, how did the transition happen?
Though Cinema was my passion, interior designing was a safe career option that I wanted as a back-up. Life was good but I soon realised that I couldn’t continue to work and that I had to follow my passion. I wanted to act for I felt that was the only thing that would make me happy. So I quit my job at Pepperfry in Goa and caught a train to Cochin. I auditioned and luckily I got selected. It was a big risk but I was lucky and all my efforts paid off.
How was the experience of being part of such a popular TV show?
When I decided to go for the audition, the journey from Goa to Kochi was one of the most adventurous ones in my life. I had to quit my job and I didn’t have a ticket to travel. It was a bunch of strangers who helped me with the TTR. I met a lot of interesting people during the course of my journey, who became my friends, who taught me things, helped me to find my way to the studio and even blessed me as I was about to leave. At the audition, they wanted the participants to talk and I narrated my experiences on the train and even enacted a few scenes, which I feel, is what helped me to clear my audition. Finally when I was selected for the show, I felt in a strange way that it was all destiny. The show itself was everything that I dreamt of. Every single day, we were practising acting and dancing and we got to perform on a platform that was being watched by millions of people. People would mail and text us telling us about how much they liked our performance. If we visited a mall, there would be crowds waiting to take selfies with us, we had fan pages…it was just awesome. But as soon as the show was over, everything slowly began to die down. Soon people stopped coming to us, even if they recognised us, they would smile and move on. It was crazy how all the attention, the compliments and the fan following just started to die down once the show was over. It was a very difficult phase for me and I was finding it extremely painful to come to terms with the fact I wouldn’t be performing anymore. I was getting into depression, when I finally bagged a role in the movie. That is what helped me to tide over it. Although our mentors at the show had warned us about how it was going to be, we didn’t quite understand how it worked until when we actually experienced it. It was a realisation phase, almost like getting a capsule feel of what celebrity life was all about.
What is the best thing you liked about the show?
I love acting and so even if I have an audience of only ten people, I am happy when they recognise me and compliment my work. That is what makes me happy. Fame is a part and parcel of the film career and though I enjoyed the fame while I was at the show, I realised that it was short lived, unless you continue doing what you are doing and excel at it! The show has definitely trained me to face reel life onscreen and offscreen.
How was your first acting experience?
Though I had a small role in Lal Jose Sir’s ‘Thattinpurathu Achuthan’, I would say my first significant role was in ‘Virus’. It was an amazing experience to have worked in a movie with such a big star cast. We were like family and it was a great feeling to have worked with such seasoned stars. The best part being that they all knew me already from the show and I didn’t have to introduce myself or try to prove anything. It was a dream come true.
You have already worked with the best directors like Lal Jose, Aashiq Abu and Kamal…
All I can say is that I am really lucky to have gotten a chance to work with the best directors and their team, so early in my career. Especially in Virus, I was working with director Aashiq Abu who does such niche movies and sharing screen space with stars like Kunchacko Boban, who I have grown up watching was just nothing short of a dream come true. Recently we had an interview at Calicut for the promotion of the movie and I was to share the stage with my favourite actor Parvathy and I was thrilled beyond words.
What are the other projects you have handled apart from movies?
I have been a part of ad campaigns for brands like Milma and Vivo. I have worked in two music albums, the first called ‘Mehr’ and the recent album by Saiju Sreedharans, the title is yet to be announced. I did a short film titled, ‘Kaatil’, soon after the TV show and it went viral with almost a million views in a week. I also recently played an interesting part in Archana Kavi’s trending web series called ‘Meenavial’ which has crossed a million views already.
What are the projects in the pipeline?
I just finished working on a movie with Kamal Sir, the title is yet to be announced. There are a couple of scripts being discussed but I can’t reveal details about any of the projects. I am keen on doing good roles and being a part of good projects. Since I have a background in interior designing to fall back on, I don’t mind waiting for the right roles to come my way.
It must have been intimidating to face the camera initially, what do you think is your biggest strength?
Yes, initially, I was really scared but I believe that I have another part of me that can soothe my nerves. I feel everyone has it in them but one needs to nurture that part so that you can grow and do better in every circumstance. You need to trust yourself and love yourself first. A second person can help you but first, you need to love yourself. Only if you are happy, others would also want to be around you. I feel it is all connected. I am also very blessed to have parents who are very supportive of all my choices and encourage me to perform well.
Interests outside of films: Though I have not undertaken any formal training, I love to dance. I like designing and art and also play basketball.
On the Bucket list: I would love to do a course in acting/theatre and also in dance. I want volunteer and work with an NGO that supports environmental causes.
Rapid Fire:
- Fashion is: An expression of your character – You are what you wear!
- Favourite fashion Designer: Mimi Cuttrell
- Fashion Mantra: I like to follow the quote by Audrey Hepburn – “Happy Girls are the prettiest!”
- Fashion Conscious?: I like to keep up with fashion trends
- Bollywood Fashion Idol: Deepika Padukone, Sonam Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra
- Quick Makeup: Lipstick, Kajal and Compact
- Most comfortable in: Western and Ethnic wear
- Beauty Tip: Drink lots of water, Hit the Gym, Stay healthy and happy
- Red carpet Look: Would love to pull off the Indian style once!
