‘Gentlewoman has pushed my limits as an actor more than three films…’

Three-film-old actor Losliya Mariyanesan, is already waiting for the second release of the year, Gentlewoman, which co-stars actor Lijomol Jose. Sri Lanka-born Losliya is more than just elated to keep herself busy with one film after the other. “It is going really well and I’m happy about back-to-back releases, after Housekeeping and now Gentlewoman,” she says.

Five years back, Losliya entered Bigg Boss Tamil 3, as a contestant, and was one of the recognised faces of the season. “I think I got more than what I wanted to before entering Bigg Boss. I did not come to Chennai from Colombo, to participate in Bigg Boss. Instead, I wanted to be an anchor. I grew up watching Tamil films, and there has always been that interest in me. I come from Trincomalee, a small place and to come to Chennai, was far-fetched then.”

Losliya Mariyanesan Interview: I did not come to India with the intention to act

After making a career out of anchoring and news-reading, Losliya understood that her calling lies in Chennai, where more opportunities would come. With no idea what is next, and pushing herself to be out of her comfort zone, Losliya made the daring choice to move to India. “I have grown up watching Vijay TV, and to work there was a dream come true. But later, I got this opportunity to enter Bigg Boss. I did not have any expectations than exposure,” she adds.

From the sets of Gentlewoman (1)

But after coming out of the season, Losliya found that she had resonated a lot with the audience, more than what she expected. “I am so grateful to work in this city, which has showered me with so much of love from the people. Bigg Boss was never about the tasks, but to show who you are. There have been many changes in me, and it’s an opportunity I am grateful for. I got more than what I wanted from it.”

Losliya plays the role of Anna in Gentlewoman, a film which is led by two actors, alongside Lijomol. “I have known the director of the film, Joshua for a while. He came with the script of Gentlewoman right at the time when I wanted a story which would show more of acting. Like I said before, I did not come to India with the idea to act. But after I got into films and this became my work, I wanted to do it right. I think Gentlewoman has pushed my limits as an actor more than the three films I have done so far.”

‘Lijomol is a phenomenal actor’

She also expresses her admiration towards her co-stars Lijomol. “She is a phenomenal actor, and I was more than happy to share the screen space. This film had more long shots and lengthy dialogues. To watch her emote and react, made me forget the presence of cameras. I felt it was a big thing to do a film with Lijo. I took Gentlewoman as a challenge to do a tough role.”

Speaking about her character Anna, Losliya says, “It is normal to stereotype a woman based on her attire, and lifestyle choices. This film explores that part, and even in the film, you can see the difference in how Anna and Poorani (Lijomol) are handled. Even as both the women are in the same situation, the perspectives with which they are looked into by the police are different. You will cast some judgements on both the women and the climax will change.”

Losliya and director Joshua

The actor also feels that the growing social media space has become a better platform to get into cinema. “It gives an opportunity to be seen by many. But no matter where you are coming from – television, reality shows or social media, cinema is a bigger sea which is very different. You need to smartly and carefully thread your way as you select projects. It might be easy to come inside, but the survival is where you need to be careful about.”

As someone who flies back and forth from Sri Lanka to India for work, Losliya says she misses home and it’s been two years since she went. “It was last Christmas, I made my family come home. It is hard when they go back, but that’s how life is.”

After doing Gentlewoman, Losliya feels that she has a lot to take back in terms of expressions and acting after working with Lijomol. “There used to be song or background score always running in this film, even as we were filming. It was the first time shooting like this. The director’s perspective was also a new thing to me, which is why we are never asking you to watch Gentleman with no particular perspective.”

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