Niranjana Anoop - Making her mark

After just a few films, Niranjana Anoop has already successfully created a space for herself in the Malayalam film industry with her realistic portrayal of characters big and small. Her latest film Ira is getting ready to be released. "I play the role of Jennifer who is a very smart and bubbly girl," she says. "Gokul Suresh stars opposite me. As the film is a suspense thriller I am not supposed to reveal any details about the character and plot. It was the interesting script that prompted me to take on the film," adds Niranjana, who is excited to share screen space with Unni Mukundan and Miya George, who also play important characters in the film. 

Niranjana has played significant roles in Loham, Puthenpanam, and C/O Saira Banu, and starred as the heroine in Dhyan Sreenivasan's Goodalochana. But she says that Loham will always be special for her as it marked her beginning. "It was a memorable experience to be sharing screen space with Mohanlal," she says, adding, "I was never nervous, just very excited." 

The actor says that acting with stellar performers like Mohanlal, Mammootty and Manju Warrier was like studying in a top-class university. "I am lucky that I got an opportunity to act with them in the initial phase of my career. It has helped me to develop as an actor."

Niranjana says her parents were initially reluctant to let her act in films but relented when she showed so much interest. Other than acting, Niranjana, who is a first-year student at St. Teresa's College, is also passionate about dance. She has been learning Kuchipudi from the age of four. "I don't participate in competitions but do take part in cultural programmes," she says. 

Asked which she likes more, Niranjana diplomatically says, "To choose between acting and dancing is a difficult task as both have a special place in my life."
 
Right from Goodalochana, she has been part of youth-centric films. Her upcoming films like Ira, Kala Viplavam Pranayam and B-tech, too, have a bunch of youngsters. On the experience of working with young teams, she says, "It never feels like you are in a work space. There was always a fun element."

Niranjana says the shoot of Kala Viplavam Pranayam is over and the film will hit the screens soon. Currently, she is shooting for B-tech, which also stars Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali. It is expected to hit the theatres by May.