Mamitha Baiju on working with Vijay in ‘Jana Nayagan’ and Suriya in ‘Viswanath and Sons’: ‘Even getting a small role in it would have been lucky’ |

Mamitha Baiju on working with Vijay in ‘Jana Nayagan’ and Suriya in ‘Viswanath and Sons’: ‘Even getting a small role in it would have been lucky’

Mamitha Baiju is steadily expanding her footprint beyond Malayalam cinema, with multiple releases lined up across languages. The actor has two films arriving during the Onam season and three releases within a month, including projects that have given her an opportunity to work with Tamil stars Vijay and Suriya.Her appearance alongside Vijay in the climactic portions of ‘Jana Nayagan’ has already drawn attention, while she shares the screen with Suriya in ‘Viswanath and Sons’. Directed by Venky Atluri, the latter also stars Dulquer Salmaan and blends humour with emotional elements.

Mamitha knew ‘Jana Nayagan’ was a major opportunity

Mamitha said she understood the significance of joining ‘Jana Nayagan’ as soon as she heard the story, particularly because it marked an opportunity to work with Vijay.Talking to Mathrubhumi.com, she shred, “When I first heard the story of Jana Nayagan, I knew it was a Vijay film. Even getting a small role in it would have been lucky. But after hearing the story, I realised that the role offered to me was not that small and that I had a big opportunity ahead of me.”The actor also credited Vijay for making the experience particularly meaningful. She recalled how his attention to detail and encouragement extended beyond the camera.“He notices even the smallest things. His support in front of and behind the camera was huge. I learnt many new things through the experience,” Mamitha said.

Working with Suriya was a proud moment

Mamitha’s association with Suriya carries a personal significance as well. She has been a fan of the actor since her school days and once missed an opportunity to see him during a promotional visit to Kochi.“I am a huge fan of Suriya sir. When I was in high school, he had come to Lulu Mall in Kochi for a film promotion. I really wanted to see him, but I could not travel from Kottayam to Kochi that day. My brother met him and took photographs with him,” she recalled.Years later, Mamitha found herself sharing the screen with the same actor she had admired as a student.“But today, I feel proud that I got to act with the same Suriya sir in a film and also attend the promotional event at Lulu Mall. These are the moments that make me happy as an actor,” she said.She also considers being invited to her former school as an actor among the memorable experiences her career has given her.“When teachers talk about how I was during my school days, it feels very special. All these are moments of happiness that cinema has given me,” Mamitha said.

Returning to Malayalam cinema with ‘Bethlehem Kudumba’ unit

After her Tamil projects, Mamitha is returning to Malayalam cinema with Girish A.D.‘s ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’. She plays the female lead opposite Nivin Pauly in the romantic comedy.The actor said returning to a familiar environment after working in Chennai and Hyderabad was refreshing.“It was a film I acted in with a lot of fun and laughter. After working in Chennai and Hyderabad, returning home and working with familiar people was a great feeling,” she said.For Mamitha, the atmosphere on a film set can significantly influence her experience. She said working alongside familiar faces can make the process feel less like a professional obligation and more like spending time with friends.“When there are many familiar people and friends on a set, acting does not feel like a job. In Bethlehem, I am not Sona from Super Sharanya or Reenu from Premalu. I play Ashley,” she said.Nivin Pauly and Mamitha share a comfortable bondMamitha had previously worked with Nivin Pauly in ‘Ramachandra Boss & Co.’, which helped establish a comfortable working relationship between the two.“I already knew Nivin chettan from that film. We are good friends on the set,” she said.She also connected with several situations portrayed in ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’, saying the film reminded her of experiences from her own growing-up years.“Many situations in the film are things I have seen and heard while growing up. Travelling by bus during college and talking to people by the roadside were all familiar experiences,” she said. According to Mamitha, the film uses humour to tell its story and has something for audiences across age groups.Mamitha’s approach to selecting projects is driven by her interest in exploring unfamiliar characters and settings. Rather than repeating roles she has already played, she prefers parts that offer her something new as an actor.“When I hear a story, I think about it for some time. The importance of the character and its place in the story are things I consider. If the character belongs to a completely unfamiliar setting, I try to learn as much as possible before playing it,” she said.Her preparation can also involve spending time understanding the environment surrounding a character.“If I need to visit a place or meet people to understand the character, I do that. I don’t like to leave out even small details when preparing for a role. Every film gives me a different experience,” Mamitha said.

‘Viswanath and Sons’ gave her a new experience

Mamitha’s work in ‘Viswanath and Sons’ also took her into an unfamiliar professional and cultural environment. The film was shot in Hyderabad, where she had to adapt to a different language, food, culture and working atmosphere.“There was a Telugu-speaking team around me. The place, language, food and culture were all different. I see all these experiences positively,” she said.Mamitha began her acting journey while still in high school and gained wider recognition with Girish A.D.’s ‘Super Sharanya’. She subsequently reached audiences outside Kerala with ‘Premalu’, further establishing herself across language boundaries.With ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Viswanath and Sons’ and ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ adding to her upcoming slate, the actor is now embracing opportunities across industries while continuing to explore varied characters in Malayalam cinema.