Ramya Nambeesan On Why Working With A Women-Led Crew In B 32 Muthal 44 Vare Was Special

Ramya Nambeesan is all geared up in anticipation of the release of her new movie, B 32 Muthal 44 Vare. Assuming the role of Malini, a social worker afflicted by cancer, the actress is making a return to Malayalam cinema with the film. In a chat with Anupriya, she reveals why the crew of this movie is the best one she has worked with yet and where she is at in her life right now.

On her role in the film, she said, “I have done similar characters before as well, but I haven't portrayed someone going through such a situation. Honestly, it is hard to connect with a character who has experienced something I haven’t. But Shruthi (director Shruthi Sharanyam, making her directorial debut) is the one who told me that such a person existed.” The actress adds that she also had to understand the change in the approach of those around Malini after she had been diagnosed with cancer, and the changes in her own emotions.

Ramya affirms that her character in the movie is more or less identical to the roles she has played before. Therefore, the performance itself wasn't a challenge as much as the prosthetics and makeup. Elaborating on her journey with prosthetics, she says, "I wouldn't say it was challenging, but by doing it, I felt that I had put in an effort. Otherwise, it feels all the same. And when we look at the film as a whole, it is very special. I haven't worked on a crew with this many women. There were close to 30 women, and almost every department was headed by a woman. The shift in energy was fun, as I have worked in movies with an 80% male crew. I think this is the best team I've worked with."

Most celebrities, particularly women, are continually subjected to body shaming from industry insiders, fans, and trolls on social media. Ramya, who is no stranger to such trolls, says, "Body shaming has become a daily activity for everyone. At first, when I heard such comments, I felt like, ‘Why did they say something like this about me?’ But gradually, one gets used to it. We get used to it because we have to. To just see a person as a commodity without any emotion is not at all a good thing to do. Some people heal from it after gaining self-confidence and understanding their worth. But others get into a state of depression and take a lot of time to mentally overcome such a stage", she adds.

She adds that it is hard to let go of deep-rooted insecurities. “Now, when someone makes such comments, I don't take them to heart. I have come to a place where I am accepting myself the way I am in terms of my body and tone. It took many years for me to get to the stage that I am in right now,” she says.