Rajisha Vijayan Reflects on Awards, Bold Roles, and Her Acting Journey

Actor Rajisha Vijayan recently opened up about her journey in cinema, from the unexpected moment she won a State Award for her debut to taking on challenging characters like Frida Soman in Masthishka Maranam. In a candid conversation, she discussed the evolution of her career, her approach to acting, and the realities of working across film industries.

“Winning the State Award Was a Shock”

Rajisha admitted that winning the State Award for her debut performance came as a complete surprise.

“My mother even asked me if they had made a mistake with the name,” she recalled with a laugh.

At the time, she wasn’t sure whether audiences would accept her performance. Her biggest concern was simply avoiding criticism.

“I honestly wondered if people might boo me. My only wish was that the character would be accepted,” she said.

Receiving the award became a turning point.

“It felt like a light-bulb moment. I thought maybe this is something I can actually do.”

Interestingly, the award did not create pressure because she was unsure whether she would get another film opportunity.

The First Real Pressure Came With June

Rajisha said she truly felt the weight of responsibility during the shoot of June, a film where she carried much of the narrative.

“The project had already been rejected by around 16 producers,” she explained.

With many newcomers involved in the production, the team relied heavily on their belief in the story.

“Despite everything, we had confidence in the material.”

A Family That Always Encouraged Her Choices

The actor credits her parents for supporting every career decision she made.

“At different points I wanted to study medicine, then journalism, then become a VJ, and eventually an actor,” she said.

Her parents encouraged every shift.

“They always said, ‘If this feels right to you, go ahead.’”

That trust, she added, created a different kind of responsibility.

“It made me want to prove that their faith in me was justified.”

Avoiding Repetition in Film Roles

After her breakout performance in Anuraga Karikkin Vellam, Rajisha received numerous offers for similar roles.

“Almost 98 percent of the scripts had characters similar to that one,” she said.

Even during narrations, filmmakers highlighted emotional scenes like the drunken or crying moments that audiences remembered.

But Rajisha deliberately looked for variety.

“I need to feel a spark when I hear a script,” she said. “It’s about whether I can contribute something meaningful.”

Trusting Filmmakers Sometimes Matters More Than the Script

Rajisha also explained that occasionally she accepts roles purely based on trust in a director.

“If I really want to work with a filmmaker, I go ahead because I know they will use me well,” she said.

For example, in Bison, she was told only that she would play the sister’s role.

Since she had previously worked with the director, she trusted the creative vision.

Similarly, she said that if a filmmaker like Amal Neerad calls, she already knows it is worth considering.

However, when working with newcomers, she prefers to read the full script carefully.

Joining Kalamkaval Because of Mammootty

Rajisha shared that she became part of the film Kalamkaval thanks to Mammootty.

“I kept asking him for a role until I finally got one,” she joked.

When Mammootty mentioned the project, she immediately expressed interest.

Within an hour, director Jithin K Jose arrived to narrate the script.

“I was actually the first female actor to hear the story,” she said.

Rajisha also expressed her wish to share the screen with iconic actors like Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi, even if it is just for a brief appearance.

Differences Between Film Industries

Having observed multiple industries, Rajisha said the biggest difference lies in budgets.

“When filmmakers from other industries hear the budget of a Malayalam film, they are often shocked,” she said.

In some cases, she joked, the entire production cost of a Malayalam film might equal the caravan expenses of a big-budget project elsewhere.

She also described differences in audience behavior:

• Tamil audiences are highly expressive and enthusiastic.
• Malayalam audiences tend to analyze films deeply.
• Telugu audiences celebrate cinema with great excitement.
• Hindi cinema often feels more structured and corporate.

Playing the Bold Character Frida in Masthishka Maranam

Rajisha was excited when director Krishand approached her with the role of Frida Soman.

“He believed my comic timing would work after watching my performances in Madhura Manohara Moham and Love,” she said.

She immediately accepted the challenge.

“Women rarely get the chance to play such uninhibited characters,” she explained.

For her, the opportunity felt like pure luck.

Why Strong Roles for Women Are Still Rare

Rajisha believes compelling characters are difficult for any actor to find, but women often face additional challenges.

“That is the reality of the industry,” she said.

She also recalled how fellow actors Nimisha Sajayan, Aparna Balamurali, and others congratulated her after the film’s release, saying the success felt like a win for them too.

Supporting roles for women, she noted, are also becoming less frequent.

Preparing for an Unpredictable Character

Portraying Frida required careful preparation.

“When the performance intensity increases, things can easily go wrong,” she said.

To avoid repeating mannerisms from earlier roles, Rajisha focused heavily on body language and character presence.

She drew inspiration from performances by Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, and Kate Winslet in Mare of Easttown, but avoided imitation.

“Internalising the character was the most important thing.”

Her Personal Acting Method

Rajisha clarified that she does not practice traditional method acting.

“I don’t live as the character all day,” she said.

Instead, she develops a personal connection with roles by:

• Creating playlists for characters
• Writing letters to them
• Preparing physically and emotionally before scenes

“It’s my own version of a method,” she explained.

Thoughts on AI Replacing Actors

The film also explores the idea of artificial intelligence replacing performers.

Rajisha acknowledged that AI will likely become part of filmmaking.

“It’s something we probably cannot stop,” she said.

However, she believes AI cannot replicate genuine creativity.

“Real originality and spontaneity come from human imagination.”

According to her, the rise of AI might even renew interest in live performances and authentic storytelling.

Life Beyond Cinema

Outside of acting, Rajisha enjoys traveling, watching films and series, spending time with her dogs, reading, and occasionally writing.

“I also love exploring food, although our profession sometimes puts limitations on that,” she added.

Ten Years in Cinema

As she completes a decade in the industry, Rajisha says she feels fulfilled by the journey.

“If I were to die today, I would still be happy,” she said candidly.

She explained that her dark sense of humor often leads her to speak openly about mortality.

“For me, accepting death actually comes from loving life deeply,” she said.

Understanding that life is unpredictable, she believes, makes every moment more meaningful.