Non-malayali in festive spirits

It is double celebration for many actresses from other film industries, who are testing the waters in Mollywood. Though just a film old, many have already bagged a few projects in Mollywood, and are determined to make it big in the industry. They tell us what they look forward to this Onam, and their plans for the day. SANAM SHETTY Bangalore-based actress Sanam is certainly looking forward to her first Onam in Kerala. “I have never celebrated Onam and I am curious to know more about the festival. It is so beautiful to watch Kerala during the festival season. I think the best part about Onam is the saris and the floral carpets. I simply enjoy the visuals associated with the festival,”says Sanam,adding,“The crew of Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus met up the other day and we had a grand onasadya. It was nice to catch up with everyone after the shoot.” VEDHIKA The model-turned-actress, who made rave reviews with Bala’s Paradesi, is just a film old in Mollywood. The actress says, “I have never celebrated Onam, but I love the Kerala sari. It is so elegant and beautiful that I even wore it for my Ganesh Chathurthi pooja. The unit members have planned a get-together and I’m looking forward to it. This year,for the first time,I’ll be celebrating the festival not just with my unit members, but with the entire audience in Kerala as my debut film has hit the theatres. That makes it all the more special.” ISHA TALWAR The Mumbai-based actress has already become a household name in Kerala. Isha, who will be seen next in Pramod Payyanur’s Mammootty-starrer Balyakalasakhi, says she had a memorable Onam bash. “The Balyakalasakhi crew is on an Onam break now. But we had a celebration on the set, complete with a grand onasadya ahead of Onam. But what made it even more special was that, Mammootty served the sadya for the entire unit. There were around 70-80 people and it was a sweet gesture from him.” PALLAVI The popular TV actress from Mumbai is making her M’wood debut with a Mammootty-starrer. Though a half-Malayali, Pallavi shares, she has never had a proper Onam celebration. “My mother is a Konkani and I was always away from home, in a boarding school. The only thing I remember is that, she used to make payasam. But this year, I’m looking forward to celebrating Onam with a proper sadya. Since there is no break, it will be a working Onam for all of us in the unit. But I hope they will arrange something special for us on Onam day.”