Exclusive interview with 'Kaathal-The Core' actress Chinnu Chandni

In Kaathal-The Core, a family drama, Chinnu Chandni plays advocate Sajitha — the counsel of Mathew (Mammootty). Muthumani plays the counsel of Omana (Jyothika).

“The only reason you would want to watch Kaathal-The Core is because it has Mammootty, Jyothika, and is directed by Jeo Baby. But for me, this is a milestone cinema in Malayalam. It doesn’t matter how small my role is. I’m honestly blessed to be a part of it,” the actor quipped.

On learning that the film is directed by Jeo Baby and headlined by Mammootty, Chinnu Chandni thought that she might have to give an audition.

“When I asked about the audition, I was told that there was none and they wanted to narrate the story. It was a wow moment for me. I was pleasantly surprised to know that Mammookka recommended me,” she recalled.

Working for Kaathal-The Core

Chinnu Chandni went to the sets for eight to ten days and she thoroughly enjoyed the shooting process.

Her first shot was with Mammootty. “In the scene, Mammookka visits my office. My dialogue was lengthy and I didn’t want to make any mistake. So, I was tense. However, after showing up, Mammukka shook my hand and said, ‘I’m Mammootty’.”

The Malayalam superstar told her that the movie was being shot using sync sound and also gave some tips on dialogue delivery.

Chinnu Chandni recollects an incident where she forgot her dialogue at one point. As it was Mammootty’s turn to reply, he asked the director to cut the scene. “Mammootty doesn’t let others know that he is comforting them,” she pointed out.

She recollected another instance. “There was Jyothika, Muthumani, and Kalabhavan Haneefa in another sequence. Mammukka was given a chair, but he didn’t sit. He gestured to a person to get chairs for everyone. He was standing there until Jyothika ma’am sat down. It was all heartwarming.”

About Jeo Baby, Chinnu Chandni says he walks and speaks to everyone so casually that no one believes that he is the director of the movie.

“He is a people person and he loves cinema. It was an amazing set and I’m glad that there were women in all departments,” she noted.

Chinnu Chandni says her character in Kaathal-The Core can’t be compared with other ones. “Those who watched the film have said Muthumani and my character have come out really well.”

Preparation for roles

Chinnu Chandni says her preparation for a movie depends on the character she plays.

“In the case of Thamasha (2019), they wanted me to be heavy and cute. In Bheemante Vazhi (2021), they wanted me to learn Judo for the climax part. I mentally prepared myself not to look the same for all the roles. It’s all personal homework and not training.”

Chinnu Chandni got a break in director Ashraf Hamza’s Thamasha. Khalid Rahman, the director of her debut movie, suggested that she should give an audition for the role.

“I met director Ashraf Hamza and the next moment, I was a part of Thamasha. Later, he roped me in for Bheemante Vazhi too. I respect, admire and adore these people. I reach out to Ashraf Hamza whenever I’m offered a new project,” Chinnu Chandni said.

Related: ‘Kaathal-The Core’ has a revolutionary subject, says Mammootty

Theatre and script selection

Chinnu Chandni spent her childhood in Tanzania where she actively participated in theatre, plays, and drama.

Speaking of her early life in Tanzania, the actor said, “I did my MPhil in theatre and films. The stage has been a constant part of my life. When I was a kid, I had dreamt of acting in the cinema.”

She recalled, “I initially thought of becoming an assistant director, helming a few short films and then taking up films. I also thought of acting in my own movie. But then, I was asked to give an audition for my debut film after a crew member watched one of my plays in Trivandrum.”

Chinnu Chandni says she is still learning the script selection process which she believes is something experience teaches.

After the release of Thamasha, things became serious for her when people started messaging her saying that they were moved by the film.

“After that, I got a lot of attention. Several offers came my way, but some of them were quite contradictory to my role in Thamasha. I turned down many films until Bheemante Vazhi happened.”

Dream projects

Chinnu Chandni grew up watching superhero movies. In fact, she did a thesis on female superheroes for her MPhil.

“I dream of doing action films, thrillers, and romantic comedies because they can be watched in the middle of the night and don’t demand our brains to understand,” she noted.