Industry failed to see Silk Smitha beyond her figure: Bhadran

If actress Silk Smitha, one of the most sensuous actresses in India was alive today, she would have celebrated her 60th birthday. The actress, even after 24 years of her demise, lives in the minds of movie buffs with her various roles that she acted in a career spanning 17 years. She enacted in nearly 450 films in Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu.
When Malayalis think of Silk Smitha, the first glimpse that would come to the minds of Malayalis is the song Ezhimala Poonchola from the movie Spadikam directed by Bhadran. The director, while recollecting the shooting days of the movie, tells us that no industry explored the actress in Silk Smitha well. "I had plans to make a movie in which she has a special role. She isn't just a seductress actress but a dedicated and talented human being," says filmmaker Bhadran.
Bhadran divulges that the actress has a conviction to give perfection to whatever she does. "She never bothers the length of her role. While thinking of considering her, many had told me that she is finicky and it would be difficult to work with her," he says adding ignoring those comments he decided to call her as he felt she is apt for the character.
"Prior to my call, someone had contacted her for Spadikam. She said, when she heard about me she studied about me and watched my films like Iyer The Great. She added that she would like to work with me," he says. Bhadran explained to her about the role, and Silk was all the more happy to accept it.
Silk Smitha had her own costumer and she had brought her costumes completely stitched. "On the previous day of the shoot, she was staying in Anjali hotel in Kottayam and costumer came with her dress. The lungi she bought wasn't the one that women in our villages wear. I was a bit upset and I explained her character again and showed some references like of Karuthamma. She assured me that by 9.30 pm, she would be ready with the costume," he recollects.
At around 9.30 pm, Silk Smitha's costumer came and invited him to her room. "There I saw, she all ready wearing the costume. It was perfect the way I want. I was amazed by her enthusiasm and dedication in giving her best in every way for the character," he says.
Bhadran says Smitha was extremely happy about the film and her role. "On one of her birthdays, she called me up and asked to wish her. That day, I told her about the role that I am thinking of giving her in one of my movies. I also told her that no one has really explored her well. She was really happy. It was unexpected to hear about her death," he says.
In person, Silk Smitha, is a wonderful human being. "People prefer to look at actors with the roles they do. She did voluptuous and sexy roles and many thought she was a 'call girl'. She wasn't. She was a woman with strong views and substance. She was professional, hardworking and passionate in real life," he sums up.