People now recognise me as Kannamma, not as Gowri Nanda

Ayyappanum Koshiyum

is about the persistent ego clash between the lead characters, played charismatically by Prithviraj and Biju Menon. While movie buffs and critics are raving about the performances of the actors, there is also someone who played a smaller role and earned praise for her power-packed performance.

Gowri Nanda

, who gave life to the character of Kannamma,

Ayyappan Nair

’s wife, is thrilled about the amazing feedback she has been receiving. Sitting in her home in Thiruvankulam in Kochi, she speaks about how Kannamma has given her a new identity. “I have been in the south Indian film industry since 2010 and now, people know me by this character, rather than my real name,” she gushes.

Gowri gives all credit for her nuanced acting in Ayyappanum Koshiyum to the filmmakers she has worked with earlier. “I debuted alongside Suresh Gopi in Kanyakumari Express, directed by T S Suresh Babu, and went on to do two Tamil and Telugu movies directed by Samuthirakani. After that I did Loham, Kanal and a Tamil film Pagadi Aattam. And then came Ayyappanum Koshiyum. I was able to work with experienced directors in Mollywood and that was my acting school,” she says.

Gowri notes that director Sachy gave her a clear picture of what she should focus on, while he narrated the character of Kannamma, pointing out that she is educated and a rebel, who works for the rights of her community. And as Kannamma is “a daughter of the forest” and someone who walks through the forests, Gowri decided to work on her body. "I was on the heavier side while the story was narrated. I knew I do not need a gym-honed body, so I started a routine of diet and fasting. I suffered headaches and giddiness as a side effect, but I was happy to do it for the purpose of playing the character," she explains, adding that she was satisfied when she first met the people of Attappadi and they felt she was one among them. “I believe, 50% of a character is in the appearance and the rest is in performance. I was glad that half my work was done and I then tried to give my best with respect to the other 50%,” she says, lauding the team for their support.

Gowri calls Prithviraj and Biju Menon ‘wonderful co-stars’. “They gave me immense space and freedom to perform. They never made me nervous, and that’s why the sequence where I berate Rajuettan became so successful,” she says. After talking and being with the people of Attapadi, Gowri feels for them. “I never knew much about them, and found them to be really good and lovable. I have met only one or two people, but I feel they are the true guardians of nature. They accepted me, as they found themselves in Kannamma. When I see their lifestyle and living conditions, I saw we should give importance to them,” she sums up.