After having done films like Kalki, are you now looking for just lead roles or any meaty character?

I think we have broken all such notions of doing only lead or titular roles. Kalki is an exception because any actor would want to be a part of a massive, one-of-a-kind project like that.

There is no compulsion to play a lead character for me. It depends on the story, the team behind it, etc.

Your first film, Kumbalangi Nights, is said to be a gateway for non-Malayalis towards Malayalam cinema. Did that attention affect you in any way? Did you expect it would cross borders…

We never imagined anything like crossing borders…. When people say Kumbalangi Nights is where everyone started paying attention to Malayalam cinema, I feel a bit sad. We have always made good films, right?

And yes, it’s success and the attention it spawned was intimidating. I wasn’t prepared to handle that much. Initially, it was really hard, be it attending events or giving interviews, etc. I mean, I was quite young to handle it also. But then, slowly, you learn to set your boundaries. My family helped me a lot.

Are people from other industries approaching you now after Kottukkaali and Kalki’s success? Are you looking to explore further and become a pan-Indian actor?

Both Kalki and Kottukkaali happened unexpectedly. But it is always good to explore, right? It helps you learn so much. Now, I’m listening to scripts from Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi.

After the Hema Committee report came out, many said it tarnished the image of the Malayalam industry…

Well, as my good friend Parvathy said, I’d rather have a better environment than maintain a false image. So, we are all working towards creating a good work environment. Be it a woman or a man, everyone deserves a safe space where they can trust the people around them, focus on their craft, and not make things difficult for others. That takes effort, and unfortunately, it hasn’t always been the case.

This isn’t just about our industry — these issues exist everywhere. The first step is addressing them. If that ‘tarnishes’ the image, so be it. That’s how change happens.

You have been a rebel in your characters and personally, too. Have you ever had to be a rebel in the industry?

I think you have to be smart about your rebellion in the industry. My rebellion was always at home, and there, the consequences were not harsh because my family loves me. Later, when I entered the industry — where the environment is sometimes challenging — I understood that certain things need to be handled differently. Knowing where I come from, my privileges, and where I can reach out to people with them has shaped how I navigate situations.

At the end of the day, I’m quite protective of my work environment and the industry I work in. Malayalam cinema is my bread and butter, my family, and my friends. So, I always try to resolve conflicts internally, like how you discuss family issues before taking them outside. And sometimes, if it’s beyond what I can handle alone, I explore who else I can reach out to.

Sometimes, words alone won’t change things. Instead, how you act on issues matters more. There are moments when I don’t have the energy to fight certain battles, so I choose to step away. Other times, when it’s necessary, I speak up. But more than making ‘noise’, I focus on what I can do – how I interact with people and how I create my own space.