Poornima Indrajith’s Triumphant Return: An Exclusive Interview on “Thuramukham” and Life’s Balancing Act

In a revealing conversation with Ajna Taj representing Kaumudy Movies, renowned actress Poornima Indrajith shares insights into her personal and professional life, highlighting her recent, critically acclaimed role as Umma in the Malayalam film “Thuramukham.” This exclusive interview provides a glimpse into her dedication, the challenges of her role, and her philosophy on embracing life’s different stages.

The Art of Multitasking: A Unique Approach to Success

When asked about her incredible ability to manage multiple roles—actress, wife, mother, and entrepreneur—a skill that her mother-in-law, Mallika Sukumaran, has often admired, Poornima offers a perspective grounded in self-awareness and acceptance. She emphasizes that her approach is not about striving for a perfect outcome but rather doing things her own way.

• A Personal Journey: Poornima believes that multitasking is not a choice for many women but a necessity. She views her life as a journey of trial and error, where she continuously learns from her strengths and shortcomings [03:00].
• The Unconditional Foundation: She highlights that the most beautiful relationships, whether with family or friends, are built on the foundation of unconditional friendship and mutual respect [13:46]. This philosophy seems to be the cornerstone of her success in all aspects of her life.

The Transformative Process of “Thuramukham”

For her role as Umma, Poornima underwent a significant physical and emotional transformation, a challenge she found both daunting and rewarding.

• A Director’s Vision: Poornima shares that it was director Rajeev Ravi who was convinced she was the right person for the character of Umma [09:44]. She acknowledges that working on a film with such a compelling script and a brilliant crew was a profound experience.
• Embracing the Change: The role required her to portray the character across different life stages, from her early 30s to her late 60s. This meant gaining and losing weight, a physically demanding process that was a key part of her journey as an actor [10:48].

Working Alongside Brilliant Minds: The “Thuramukham” Experience

Poornima speaks highly of the cast and crew of “Thuramukham,” emphasizing the collective effort and the enriching environment that shaped her performance.

• Collaborative Spirit: She notes that the entire team, including co-actors like Nivin Pauly and Sudev Nair, invested heavily in their roles. Poornima highlights that portraying a character with multiple layers, as in “Thuramukham,” demands significant effort from any actor.
• Director’s Unique Process: Poornima describes working with Rajeev Ravi as a transformative experience. She appreciates his directorial approach, which offers actors immense freedom while subtly guiding their performances. “Every actor is a director’s prop,” she says, emphasizing how a director molds them. She found his work energy to be highly enriching, making the entire experience a valuable learning journey.
• Sudev Nair’s Dedication: She specifically commends Sudev Nair’s physical transformation for his role, noting that the effort he put in was visibly translated onto the screen. Poornima herself underwent a similar process, resonating with the dedication required to embody such characters.

Family, Friendships, and the Power of Acceptance

Beyond her professional endeavors, Poornima offers a heartwarming perspective on her family life and the importance of nurturing relationships.

• Indrajith’s Passion for Riding: Speaking about her husband, Indrajith Sukumaran, Poornima reveals his profound love for riding, describing it as a “meditative process” for him. While she enjoys rides, she admits long journeys on the back of a bike aren’t as meditative for her, though a 24-hour journey is certainly manageable.
• Celebrating Individual Talents: Poornima beams when discussing her children, Prahlad and Nakshatra, referring to them as distinct individuals with unique energies and talents. She acknowledges Nakshatra’s incredible singing voice as a “divine blessing” and believes that talent, especially in art, is something that comes from within. Her role as a parent is to provide a platform for her children to explore and develop their inherent potential, encouraging them to be “self-driven”.
• The Unconditional Bond with Mallika Sukumaran: Poornima cherishes her deep bond with her mother-in-law, Mallika Sukumaran. She believes their relationship, spanning over two decades, is rooted in friendship and mutual acceptance, which allows for unconditional emotional support. This strong foundation enables her to navigate her work and personal life with grace.

The Evolving Landscape for Women: Breaking Barriers in Society

Poornima addresses the conditioning that often leads society to view women’s achievements through the lens of external permission, rather than recognizing their individual efforts.

• Challenging Conditioning: She acknowledges that societal conditioning often attributes a woman’s success in a venture to the “permission” granted by her husband or parents, rather than her inherent capabilities. Poornima believes this perspective stems from a lack of similar opportunities or privileges in those who voice such opinions, suggesting it’s a reflection of their own “trauma”.
• Advocating for Communication: Poornima encourages open communication within families, stating that expressing one’s desires and aspirations is the crucial first step toward achieving them. She emphasizes that most parents genuinely want the best for their children and that a clear communication platform can bridge misunderstandings.

Anticipation for “Thuramukham’s” Release

With “Thuramukham” set to release on June 10th, Poornima shares the collective excitement and high expectations surrounding the film.

• Audience Excitement: The actress is well aware of the immense anticipation from the audience, particularly regarding the return of seasoned actors like Nivin Pauly in a powerful role. She views this public eagerness as a testament to their love and desire to see more of these artists on screen.
• A Promising Project: Poornima expresses her personal pride in being part of “Thuramukham,” confident that it will be a promising and impactful cinematic experience. She is eager for the audience to witness the collective hard work and the unique story the film has to offer.

The Journey of Motherhood and Nurturing Talent

Poornima speaks with immense pride and understanding about her daughters, Prahlad and Nakshatra, highlighting their individual uniqueness and her role in fostering their growth.

• Unique Personalities: Both Prahlad and Nakshatra are celebrated by Poornima as distinct individuals with their own unique energies and individualities. She recognizes that each child has a different approach to life, making their journey exciting and full of learning.
• A Divine Gift: Poornima acknowledges Nakshatra’s exceptional singing talent as a “divine blessing”. She firmly believes that artistic abilities, such as the timbre and texture of one’s voice, are inherent gifts that cannot be chosen but rather emerge from within.
• Parental Support and Empowerment: As a parent, Poornima’s focus is on providing a supportive platform for her daughters to explore their potential. She encourages them to be “self-driven” in honing their talents, understanding that true growth comes from within and through their own hard work and smart effort. She emphasizes that talent, particularly in a country like India, is abundant, and the key is to push oneself beyond a certain point for it to truly flourish.

The Enduring Legacy of “Thuramukham”

The making of “Thuramukham” was a unique experience for all involved, leaving a lasting impact on Poornima.

• Timeless Bonds: Poornima emphasizes that the relationships forged during the making of “Thuramukham” extend beyond professional ties. The emotional connections and friendships developed organically, requiring no constant follow-up to sustain them. She believes that when actors meet again, they can pick up right where they left off, a testament to the genuine bonds formed on set.
• A Prized Memory: The entire work experience of “Thuramukham,” with its unique challenges and rewarding process, remains a cherished memory for Poornima. She continues to hold it with great pride and sees it as a significant learning journey in her career.

Watch the full interview here: