The time in TV has been my golden years: Malavikha Wales

Malavikha Wales

has made a habit of winning hearts from the time she made an appearance on the small screen. Whether it is as Ponnu in the hit show Ponnambili, the supernatural multi-lingual Nandini or currently as Anjana, in

Manjil Virinja Poovu

. The keen dancer and former Miss Beautiful Eyes at Miss Kerala 2009, Malavikha was also Kochi Times Most Desirable on TV in 2018. The 26-year-old talks about being known by her screen persona, taking some me-time and more.


You started acting at quiet a young age; were you always drawn to showbiz?

On the contrary, I was a very shy, introverted youngster, though I knew no stage fear when I did dance performances. In fact, showbiz was a passion for my father and he nudged me in that direction. Movies or modelling were the last things on my mind. I used to dance in school, but thought I would be a CA like my father or my brother.

Even when Miss Kerala happened, I didn’t think about going down this road. Then, when I was in Class 12, I got a call to audition for Malarvaadi Arts Club, where I played the role of Geethu, and this got me interested and marked my entry into the field.
No one in school, be it my teachers or friends, expected that I would take part in a beauty contest. But they were extremely supportive. I now see what a blessing these opportunities are.


Since Malarvaadi, you have done only serials. Do you miss having big screen projects?

Work is work, whatever the medium. Serials have made me a household name. The four years that I have been on TV have been my golden years. I have enjoyed every character that I have played and they have made me a household name. I have felt happier on the small screen. Mothers call me Ponnu, Janaki or Anjana, which are my screen names, when they meet me. They advice me on what my character should or shouldn’t do, like ‘don’t go with him,’ which I find very sweet. What a connect TV lets me have with the audience!

When I did the Tamil-Telugu show Nandini, a lot of people used to message me. Those shows are big productions, made like movies for the small screen. Women used to copy our screen style and I realised the impact that the shows had. Ponnambili remains my favourite, as it gave me my career break.


After your stint in Tamil and Telugu, how did you make a return to Malayalam with Manjil Virinja Poovu?

I got a call from its director Rajeev Nedumkandam sir, scriptwriter Jayaprasad Parnashala and producer Unnithan sir. I know how well actors are treated by them and I was happy with the character, so I started earlier this year and there’s been no looking back.
Most of the shooting is in Thiruvananthapuram, but we have also done some scenic shots in Kattapana and Peerumade and we have got a good response to them. The locations have added to the thrill of the episodes.


You are on just one project at the moment; any reason for this?
Yeah, we shoot for just about 15 days in a month and it works great for me. I’m getting other offers, but I’m taking time for myself. It gives me the time to get lessons in bharatanatyam, for example. Unlike in films, you spend months with the other cast while shooting serials.


What is the atmosphere and interactions like on Manjil Virinja Poovu?

It is amazing. The energy on set, even with the very senior actors, like Shalu Menon, Shobi Thilakan and Rekha Ratheesh, is great. It doesn’t feel serious. The younger actors are quite fun loving, but that is not to diminish the seriousness with which they take their roles. Yuva Krishna, who plays Manu, and Justin George Mathew, portraying Arun, are exceptional actors and very hard-working. I feel I can learn from them, and have also made friends for life.