Actor Anupama Parameswaran has opened up about the difficult audition journey behind her breakthrough film Premam, revealing that she left the audition in tears after initially facing rejection.
Today recognised as one of the most popular faces in Malayalam and Telugu cinema, Anupama recently reflected on the experience during an earlier interaction with film critic Baradwaj Rangan for Galatta Plus.
The actor admitted that while Premam eventually changed her life, the memory she remembers most strongly is the disappointment she felt during her first audition.
“It was the first time I got rejected, and that’s the memory I remember most,” Anupama shared.
Anupama Parameswaran Had Never Faced a Camera Before ‘Premam’
Recalling the audition process, Anupama said she had no understanding of film acting at the time and had never even faced a camera before.
According to the actor, her only performance experience came from college stage competitions, which led her to approach the audition like a theatre performance rather than a film scene.
She explained that she did not even fully understand what a script was during that period.
Director Alphonse Puthren Was Unhappy With Her Performance
During the audition, Anupama repeatedly delivered the scene in the same dramatic style, despite being corrected multiple times by the team.
She recalled director Alphonse Puthren stopping the take repeatedly.
“They said, ‘Cut! You can’t do that.’ The second time they said ‘Action,’ and I did the same. The third time as well,” she remembered.
Eventually, the audition ended politely, but Anupama walked away convinced she had completely failed.
The rejection deeply affected her because she had rarely experienced failure during her student life.
“I had never been rejected before,” she admitted.
Back at her hostel, she spent days practising lines in front of a mirror while trying to improve her acting skills.
The Second Audition That Changed Everything
Nearly two weeks later, Anupama unexpectedly received another call from the makers of Premam.
Initially, her mother was hesitant to send her back after seeing how emotionally affected she had been during the first audition.
“Last time you made my child cry, we are not sending her,” Anupama recalled her mother saying.
However, the team convinced her family, and Anupama returned for another chance. This time, she approached the audition differently and successfully delivered the scene.
“That day changed my life,” she said while looking back on the turning point in her career.
From ‘Premam’ Success to Upcoming Film ‘Paradha’
After Premam became a major success, Anupama Parameswaran established herself in both Malayalam and Telugu cinema through several successful performances.
The actor will next be seen in Paradha, directed by Praveen Kandregula.
The film follows the story of Subbu, a young woman from a conservative village whose life changes unexpectedly during a trekking trip.
Paradha also marks the Telugu debut of actor Darshana Rajendran. The cast additionally includes Rag Mayur and Sangeetha, while Gopi Sundar has composed the music for the film.
