Rajisha Vijayan has opened up about working with Tamil stars Suriya and Karthi, praising both brothers for their humility, discipline and collaborative approach to filmmaking. The Malayalam actor, who has shared screen space with Suriya in Jai Bhim and Karthi in Sardar, is now returning as Indu in Sardar 2.
For Rajisha, reprising the same character in a sequel offered an experience she had rarely encountered during her career. She said director PS Mithran’s decision to bring her back as Indu made her particularly happy.
Rajisha Vijayan on Returning as Indu in Sardar 2
Rajisha revealed that Mithran explained why Indu remained important to the story despite the character’s fate in the first film.
“He told me, ‘I know you’re dead but you are the soul of Sardar. Indu is his biggest supporter so just be there; it also works like a lucky charm,’” she recalled.
According to Rajisha, returning as the same character with both the actor and filmmaker was a rare opportunity for her.
She added that she had never previously had the chance to reprise a character in another film and found the experience enjoyable.
Rajisha Calls Suriya and Karthi Humble and Collaborative
Having worked with both Suriya and Karthi, Rajisha said she considers them among her favourites. She particularly highlighted how approachable and collaborative they remain despite reaching the highest levels of the Tamil film industry.
“It’s such an absolute pleasure working with both of them. Such gentlemen and such humble actors,” she said.
Rajisha also praised their willingness to experiment during filmmaking. In her view, their openness to improvisation and collaboration is something that distinguishes them.
She jokingly added that she now needs to work with their father, actor Sivakumar.
Their Discipline on Set Impressed Rajisha
Rajisha said her admiration for Suriya and Karthi extends beyond their performances. She has also observed their meticulous preparation while working on a scene.
According to her, both actors remain attentive to even the smallest aspects of a sequence and constantly consider how they can contribute more to a scene.
One detail particularly caught her attention: Rajisha said she noticed that Suriya and Karthi generally avoid sitting in regular chairs between shots. Instead, they use high stools, which she believes helps them remain physically engaged and prevents their bodies from completely relaxing between takes.
For Rajisha, such habits reflect their discipline and commitment to their craft.
Rajisha Vijayan Chooses Scripts Over Co-Stars
Despite having worked alongside major Tamil stars, Rajisha said the actor she will be paired with is not the first factor she considers when accepting a project.
For her, the script and the character come first.
She explained that she wants to know what her character contributes to the overall story and whether the role gives her an opportunity to do something different as an actor.
Rajisha also said she does not want to take up projects merely to remain visible.
“I always say that before you choose a film, the film and the director have to choose you,” she said, adding that she feels fortunate to have received opportunities in films such as Jai Bhim, Karnan, Sardar and Bison Kaalamaadan.
Why Rajisha Has Done Fewer Tamil Films
Rajisha made her Tamil debut with Karnan and has subsequently worked in several notable projects. However, she has deliberately avoided taking on films simply for the sake of increasing her filmography.
She revealed that she has completed only a limited number of Tamil films over the course of her Tamil journey because she is waiting for roles that provide meaningful scope for performance.
Her approach is not to reject commercial cinema. Instead, she believes filmmakers should remain faithful to the kind of movie they set out to make.
If a film is intended to be a mass entertainer, she feels it should fully embrace that format. Similarly, socially relevant cinema should retain its intended seriousness and purpose.
A Decade in Cinema: Rajisha Vijayan Says Gratitude Comes First
Rajisha entered Malayalam cinema in 2016 with Anuraga Karikkin Vellam, a debut that brought her several awards and established her as a promising actor.
As she looks back on roughly a decade in the industry, she said gratitude is the emotion she feels most strongly.
She acknowledged that sustaining a career in cinema for ten years is challenging, particularly while working across multiple languages.
Her ambition, however, remains straightforward: she wants to continue acting for as long as possible.
Rajisha said she hopes to remain connected with cinema and in front of the camera for many more decades.
Does Rajisha Have Any Career Regrets?
When asked whether she regrets any of her film choices, Rajisha admitted that she has occasionally wondered if she accepted certain projects too quickly.
However, she believes an actor must fully commit once a decision has been made.
She pointed out that an actor is only one component of a much larger filmmaking process and that the director’s vision involves the contribution of numerous technicians and performers.
For Rajisha, careful consideration is important before signing a project. But after making that choice, she believes there is little value in constantly second-guessing it.
Rajisha on the Need for Strong Female Characters
The actor also addressed the changing landscape for women in Tamil and Malayalam cinema.
She noted that the availability of substantial female characters depends significantly on decisions made during the writing stage. If strong women are not incorporated into a screenplay from the beginning, actresses naturally have fewer opportunities to take on substantial roles.
Rajisha acknowledged that Malayalam cinema is experiencing some uncertainty in this area but believes the situation can change again.
Her hope is to continue working long enough to benefit from a new generation of stories and characters that offer meaningful opportunities to women.
Rajisha Vijayan Defends Celebrities’ Right to Share Personal Experiences
Rajisha was also asked about the public reaction to personal disclosures made by her Bison Kaalamaadan co-star Anupama Parameswaran.
Rather than commenting specifically on Anupama’s experience, Rajisha spoke more broadly about the right of public figures to decide how much of their private lives they want to share.
She said people should not be judged simply because they choose to discuss personal experiences publicly.
Rajisha explained that she prefers to keep her own personal life private, while recognising that other celebrities may be more comfortable speaking openly about theirs.
In her view, the important factor is that people should have the freedom to decide for themselves.
Why Rajisha Hasn’t Entered Hindi Cinema Yet
Although Rajisha is fluent in Hindi, she has yet to make her Hindi film or web-series debut.
The actor revealed that she has received opportunities but had to turn some down because of scheduling conflicts. She said she would rather wait for a project that feels worthwhile than enter another industry simply for the sake of doing so.
Rajisha also shared her view that Hindi cinema is currently experiencing a period of transition because of changing audience patterns, the post-pandemic industry landscape and the growth of pan-Indian cinema.
She believes regional industries such as Malayalam cinema adapted comparatively quickly because they have traditionally worked within clearly defined linguistic markets.
Rajisha Vijayan’s Upcoming Projects
While waiting for the right Hindi opportunity, Rajisha remains busy with projects across Malayalam and Tamil cinema.
Her upcoming work includes Amal Neerad’s Bachelor Party, Jiiva’s Thagappan and another Tamil project whose details have not yet been revealed.
With Sardar 2 adding another chapter to her collaboration with Karthi and PS Mithran, Rajisha continues to focus on roles that give her room to contribute rather than simply increasing her screen presence.
