When debutant filmmaker Jaikumar Sedhuraman penned the script for his maiden venture Sennai, he was sure of one thing — that he would cast Semmalar Annam in the lead. And now, she has bagged the Best Actress Award for her role in the Tagore International Film Festival 2021 and the Port Blair International Film Festival 2021.
So, how challenging was it to play an undertaker? “I am used to playing strong and bold characters, so the role wasn’t difficult per se. What was taxing was playing an asthma patient and delivering my dialogues. I had to memorise my lines, but at the same time, remember to cough between every two lines. I had to practise hard to get it right.”
Ask Semmalar if it was a conscious decision to play such unconventional characters and she says, “Not really! In fact, I aspire to do comedy and romance. I am a fun-loving person with a great sense of humour. However, I believe in living my characters. It might have to do with my skin tone as well as dark-skinned people are stereotyped in such characters in the film industry. We are not offered roles of a doctor or lawyer. It’s appalling.”
With conversations about colourism as a pernicious form of discrimination becoming more vociferous by the day, are things changing in the film industry? “I wouldn’t say there has been a drastic improvement, but it is gradually getting better. I hope to change things once I take the plunge into direction in feature films, which is my long-term dream. And I hope people with darker skin tones get their due.” Interestingly, Semmalar has already directed award-winning short films like Mudhal Mazhai, Malarmathi and Konangal.
Suseenthiran to take online course on direction and acting
