From the noisy jhankar to the elegant pavements, Aparna Balamurali hit the streets of filmdom with panache

Revving with a certain vibrato, the engine warmed up. She got into the car which made its way under the watch of the glum coal sky. She peered outside the roads that lend a view to the vast sea. Riding along its endlessness, she spotted a few buildings in Willingdon Island, speckled with the early morning routine lights. With a few turns and steering, they made it on time.

After much ado, the sun beautifully rose and she landed at the jhankar. In contrast to the drive, the day was illustrious; the sun shone its few rays. She stood on the barge in rapt attention. Among the scrum, she listened to the multitude of sounds, a cacophony of the morning routine rituals. But for a moment, time froze. Fishermen forgot their nets, children turned away from their lessons, passersby stopped to stare. The silence that prevailed, had all gazes upon her. It was the first photograph of the day, and that was just this start.

There is a first time for everything, from her auditions to wearing ‘lipnotising’ blue lipstick. Aparna Balamurali made her first breakthrough with her performance as Jincy, in the recent movie ‘Maheshinte Prathikaram.’
Hailing from a family of arts in Thrissur, Aparna has had lived in a creative air all her life. Her father, Bala Murali is a music director and her mother is an advocate, and a singer. So stumbling into the world of movies was not surprising. Although she’s known for her flair for music and dance, she has been rather coy about them. However, she has always been inquisitive about the art form of acting, and the rest is history. Although, when she is not acting, she pursues a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the Global Institute in Palakkad. Aparna Balamurali believes she is a novice, but speaks confidently and maturely abouther current profession. “A director and an actor should share a great rapport. Accept what the directors say, they have a vision for a character on how he or she has to be. The thing an actor must look into is emoting in various ways and giving choices so the director can choose what’s best for him or her. In this movie, I studied the interaction between director Dileesh Pothan and the lead actor Fahadh Faasil and how they interchanged comments. I learned this from my father, especially seeing him while at
work. Many singers have approached him, wanting to sing in a manner they chose. But my father would draw out a plan on how he wanted them to sing. I believe with his guidance helped them adapt to the song the way my father
weaved the notes.”

Some Place Else

For the next shot, we moved to a boutique hotel situated at Mattencherry, Fragrant Nature. Aparna commented how she loved the energyof the city with its varying sleepiness  and the rustic details that is nestled among handsome buildings. She was in awe of the yellow baroque façade of the hotel, and its prominent Cuban touch with the interior colours and marbled floors.

Sitting on a yellow armchair and looking up towards the open sky, she mused: “ Architecture has something about everything.” Although poles apart, she finds a strong connection between acting and architecture. “I believe everything in art is interconnected. It is not a burden to pursue two of my greatest passions. I can see architecture in films and films in architecture; for all I know they go hand in hand.” Her next change, was a transatlantic transfer from sultry Cuba to the sun-dappled cobbled streets of Stockholm, in the hotel.

A View Through the Lens

Her tryst with the camera is in its infancy but she was a natural in front of the lens. She exhibited no air of nervousness. While ‘Maheshinte Prathikaram’ was her first movie in a leading role, she has appeared in the 2015 comedy-thriller ‘Oru Second Class Yatra’ which also featured singer and actor Vineeth Srinivasan and a short film ‘Innalaye Thedi.’ A shower of auditions followed her first assignments.

Aparna the architect student, and Jimcy, her character in ‘Maheshinte Prathikaram’. “It was funny to have some associations, but my character made me realise there are so many other roles to pursue.” Coincidently, in the movie, Jimcy walks into a photostudio to have her photograph taken so she could come on the cover of a leading magazine. And here she is, gracing our cover this issue! We asked her what she felt was the most memorable moment of this photoshoot, and her answer was quick, “The unsusal lipstick was the highlight of the day.” While she allures focus and maturity while taking a shot, there are occasions when she lightens up and breaks into a giggle. Yet another similarity with Jimcy, who gets snapped without her knowledge by photographer Mahesh.

In the souk background she looked fearless with a French braid, parted on both sides and jungle green eye shadow… as if lost in a map. The reel moment almost seemed real. Aparna’s performance has been well-received by both audience and experts in the industry. Experts have noted that her acting appeared ‘effortless’. She has accepted these praises and compliments gracefully, while remaining grounded. “I had no tensions portraying this role. I never expected the movie to be such a huge hit, though. Going ahead, I plan to continue being conscious about the roles and scripts I choose.”

Looking Ahead

Not very swayed towards the glamorous side of filmdom, shementioned that actors were different  on screen, from what they are in person. “Earlier I watched so many movies passively but now I started watching them again, and have started to analyse them.” Actors like Manju Warrier and Rima Kallingal have inspired her with their choice of roles and the confidence to emote powerful characters. “I also loved Paravathy’s transformation, it made me realise acting is something you learn intensely and is not always just an innate skill.”

On that note, it is a pack-up. Aparna Balamurali gears up to face the industry headstrong, and not take it up as just another glossy extra curricular activity. “There are so many people who want to act and now I have a chance, so I should not deny it. I feel it’s great I get to pursue multiple disciplines – from architecture to acting. I am in a state to learn and explore more and more.” So saying, she took one last sip of her watermelon juice, and went off for her next shot with zest. Watch out for this little firefly.

Model: Aparna Balamurali

Photographer: Jinson Abraham

Styling: Lakshmi Babu

Makeup & Hair Styling: Blessy Mary Chacko

Costumes: Lulu Fashion Store

Retouch: Jemini Ghosh

Location: Fragrant Nature, Mattancherry

Production: FWD Media

Special Thanks: Metro, Lulu Mall, Kochi

Words : Atheena Wilson