1. Tell us about your role in Paleri Manikyam

I play a character called Cheeru, a strong woman from the village. There is an entire transformation of her character in which there is a focus from her young to old age. Manikyam is my daughter in law in the movie.

2. Paleri Manikyam is based on the true story, what do you think, in general about bringing back the long forgotten subjects into mainstream cinema?

Yes, it was one of the first cases in the Kerala Judiciary reported of a rape case. Basically this is to educate people to come out and fight for justice. Even though we are in the 21st century, and things haven’t changed on these areas. There are lot of cases not reported and not solved. When you commit a crime, the punishment has to be given then and there. It shouldn’t be like the crime is committed the punishment has to take forever.

3. Do you think the movie is advocating a big social message?

Well, nobody makes a film only to educate, there is commercial gain to be made as well. I feel we gather certain kind of inspiration from our society itself. We pluck one part of the society and show that in a cinematic way. So if we can educate people , or can give away certain message then why not make these kind of movies.

4. Do you think rape convicts in India should be given capital punishment?

Yes, it’s high time that happened.

5. Why do you think there is so much sex related crimes in India?

I think expectations, frustrations, and being unsatisfied in life will probably lead people to these crimes.

6. Are you a Feminist?

No, not at all, am sure any person would stand for such crimes.

7. Why do you think that people around the world should watch Paleri Manikyam? What do you think is the key USP of the movie?

First of all, the movie is directed by a very talented person-Mr Ranjith, very well executed, very well shot most of it was shot at location. The main role is showcased by the legend Mr Mamooty, an amazing actor, who’s every movie is worth watching. There is already a book about the same subject, but the visual media is much better and easier to comprehend. The movie is made with lots of sincerity and lot of truth. This case is just an example, there are lot of manikyams happening in Kerala, in India even around world. Our laws need to change, Instead of finding solutions I feel we are still some times trying to protect the guilty due to political pressures. The movie will make every person who watches it think, about the society and the crime in the society against women.

8. How was it working with the great legend Mr Mamooty?

Oh it was superb, my first movie when I was a teenager was with Mr Mamooty, I was very scared and I realise that after so many years when I’m playing the character Cheeru is equally intimidated . Believe me its great fun working with him. We have few very interesting scenes together. This has evolved me as a person and as an actor. Of course the credit goes to the director and the actor, when you have such great feedback from one side you can’t go wrong.

9. Otherwise how was the general mood in the set?

Superb, basically Fun N frolic. Ranjith sir is basically quite a chilled out person. In the set they all considered me little bit of a tom boy playing cheeru’s role. It was fun on the whole.

10. You started acting at 14, how did you get into cinema?

Well, Mr Jomon and Mr Mamooty were discussing about the movie Anaswaram, and they saw my photograph in the newspaper when I was crowned Miss India teen. It also helped that Mr Jomon had known us before as he was our family friend. He called me and the shooting started the next day, featuring me in the female lead in Anaswaram Opposite Mr. Mamooty.

11. How did it feel when you won Miss India with Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai?

Very well, but then I was young; I was never serious when I became the heroine of Anaswaram nor when I won Miss India. It hit me only when I was going through the training for Miss Asia pacific. I was representing my country, and it was a big deal. If I slip, my country slips as well. We had to be prefect in what we do; the way you walk, way you speak, my attitude..etc, all these matters so much when you represent your country. All these aspects helped me grow up. Bombay also helped, because I was constantly meeting and rubbing shoulders with big names in the industry.

12. What helped you more in your career; the first Gladrags super model or Miss India or being the runner-up of Miss Asia Pacific?

Any day the credit goes to Anaswaram, because I faced the camera for the first time, and facing the camera means facing millions of people.

Second one obviously was when I won Miss India, this doesn’t happen to everyone. We were 28 girls selected from all over India from thousands of applications, it was amazing. Miss India was the stepping stone into the Glamour world.

Third one was when I won Gladrags super model. I could walk into most places and people who matter recognised me, I did not have to go through the grind of carrying a portfolio like the other models had to do, I started getting work come my way, and the event being by Bombay Dyeing also was a major push.

Miss Asia Pacific was the icing on the cake.

13. Even with Gladrags you have been in Elite company, Kelly Dorjee was the male super model? You have seen the life of these people around you take off to different spheres, where do u rate your career?

Superb, content and very happy. I am small town girl with small aspirations and I think I have achieved more than what I anticipated, and anything which comes now is a bonus. And I appreciate that bonus.

14. What is your connection to Kerala, your emotional connection?

I am from Calicut, as I grow old I can see the malayalee traits in me, lot of good bad and ugly. Believe me going back to the roots is great. I have heard lots from my parents that we have to go back to our roots and settle there. I believe we all have our roots and we cannot forget that.

15. Do you like Shwetha Menon the Model or Shwetha Menon the Actor?

I think Shwetha Menon the model loves herself immensely, because I don’t think I have understood myself before I was a model, I understood that Shwetha Menon is a very beautiful girl only when I became a model. When I became an actress, I understood that Shwetha Menon has so many other traits and why not explore it.

16. What is the biggest difference being the Model and an actor.

As a Model you need to look beautiful, need to be the perfect person. As an actor you are becoming different characters, which I think in this life you will never be, as an actor you are being a character which is visualized by the director, your are portraying situations and emotions. As a model you just have to look beautiful.

17. You have been doing some great work in the Hindi film Industry, why did u come back to Malayalam?

I came back in 2007; I got a call from Bose sir. He had this conviction that I should come back to Malayalam films. I per say never left Malayalam, but people thought I had become too big for my boots, I was in Mumbai and people thought why she would want to do Malayalam cinema. When Bose sir called, I jumped at the opportunity. The Malayalam media has always been very good to me and given me a lot of love, and I believe that Kerala was just very happy to have me back.

18. Who is Shwetha Menon the actor?

Just a new born.

19. Who is Shwetha Menon the person?

Very nice, very Stupid, very full of life, too talkative, too friendly and loves people.

20. How ambitious are you?

If I was ambitious, I would not be where I’m today. I think I’m worth more. But believe me I’m one person who is very content and very happy.

21. Would you ever come back and settle in Kerala?

It’s a catch-22 situation, I was bought up outside Kerala, I think I will want to have the best of both worlds.

22. You became a celebrity when u were 14, how did u cope with the celebritydom?

I enjoyed being a celebrity; I loved it when men or boys said ‘Shwetha we love you’, ‘Shwetha you are sexy’, But I hated it when it crossed the line.

23. What do u think is the major difference between Malayalam Cinema and Hindi Cinema?

Malayalam Cinema is very realistic, it is very rooted and very culture bound. In Hindi everything is larger than life, so much of pampering and so much of money, you have to even look beautiful when you are going to school in the movie. Everything in Hindi cinema is glamorous and very larger than life.

24. What is Cinema for Shwetha Menon? What is the greater goal?

For me cinema is a learning process and I believe I’m still a student of Cinema.

25. What is the one great materialistic joy being an actor?

Money of course, and the pampering which is a by-product of the money. Going to the Spa and all the pampering.

Favorite Actor: Mamooty and Mohanlal

Favorite Actress: Srivedi, Kajol, Shobhana

Favorite Color: white

Favorite Food : *Slurp Slurp Slurp* Chinese

Dream Vacation place: Paris

Your sun sign: Taurus

Best day of your life: Winning Miss India.

Thoughts on politics: Politics is fine, but politicians are not happening.

Will you ever join politics: I’m not a person to preach, I would love to practice..

Visualize a great evening for us: I love nature, given a choice I would like to be near a ‘Puza’ or any waterbody with someone or my mad set of friends, with a glass of wine.

Your take on fashion, what are your preferences : Favorite Actor: Amitabh Bachan, Shah Rukh Khan

Favorite Actress: Srivedi, Maduri, Shobhana

Favorite Color: white

Favorite Food : Icecream

Dream Vacation place: Switzerland

Your sun sign: Virgo

Best day of your life: My first movie shoot.

Thoughts on politics: I hate politics

Will you ever join politics : Never say never.

Visualize a great evening for us: To spend an evening with loved one.

Your take on fashion, what are your preferences : Fashion means comfort for me, I’m mostly in white shirt and white kurta with a Jean.