Mamitha Baiju on working with Vijay in ‘Jana Nayagan’ and Suriya in ‘Viswanath and Sons’: ‘Even getting a small role would have been lucky’ |

Mamitha Baiju is steadily expanding her footprint beyond Malayalam cinema, with multiple releases across languages. The actress has two films coming during the Onam season and three releases in a month, including projects that have given her the opportunity to work with Tamil stars Vijay and Suriya.Her appearance opposite Vijay in the climactic portions of ‘Jana Nayagan’ has already grabbed attention, while she shares the screen with Suriya in ‘Viswanath and Sons’. Directed by Venky Atluri, the latter also stars Dulquer Salmaan and combines humor with emotional elements.

Mamitha knew ‘Jana Nayagan’ was a great opportunity

Mamitha said she understood the importance of joining ‘Jana Nayagan’ as soon as she heard the story, particularly as it marked an opportunity to work with Vijay.Speaking to Mathrubhumi.com, he explained, “When I first heard the story of Jana Nayagan, I knew it was a Vijay film. Even getting a small role in it would have been lucky. But after hearing the story, I realized that the role I was being offered was not that small and I had a big opportunity ahead of me.”The actor also credited Vijay for making the experience particularly meaningful. She recalled how his attention to detail and encouragement extended beyond the camera.“He notices even the smallest things. His support in front of and behind the camera was huge. I learned a lot of new things through the experience,” Mamitha said.

Working with Suriya was a proud moment

Mamitha’s association with Suriya also has a personal significance. She has been a fan of the actor since her school days and once missed a chance to meet him during a promotional visit to Kochi.“I am a big fan of Suriya sir. When I was in high school, he had come to Lulu mall in Kochi for the promotion of a film.

I really wanted to see it, but I couldn’t travel from Kottayam to Kochi that day. “My brother met him and took pictures with him,” he recalled.Years later, Mamitha found herself sharing the screen with the same actor she had admired as a student.“But today I feel proud that I was able to act with Suriya sir himself in a film and also attend the promotional event at Lulu Mall. These are the moments that make me happy as an actress,” she said.She also considers being invited to her old school as an actress to be one of the memorable experiences her career has given her.“When teachers talk about what I was like during my school days, it feels very special. These are all moments of happiness that cinema has given me,” Mamitha said.

Returning to Malayalam cinema with ‘Bethlehem Kudumba’ unit

After her Tamil projects, Mamitha returns to Malayalam cinema with Girish AD’s ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’. She plays the female lead opposite nivin pauly in the romantic comedy.The actor said returning to a familiar environment after working in Chennai and Hyderabad was refreshing.“It was a film in which I acted with a lot of fun and laughter. After working in Chennai and Hyderabad, returning home and working with well-known people was a great feeling,” he said.For Mamitha, the atmosphere on a film set can significantly influence her experience. He said working alongside familiar faces can make the process feel less like a professional obligation and more like spending time with friends.“When there are a lot of familiar people and friends on a set, acting doesn’t feel like work. In Bethlehem, I’m not Sona from Super Sharanya or Reenu from Premalu. I play Ashley,” she said.Nivin Pauly and Mamitha share a comfortable bondMamitha had previously worked with Nivin Pauly in ‘Ramachandra Boss & Co.’, which helped establish a comfortable working relationship between the two.“I already knew Nivin Chettan from that film.

“We are good friends on set,” he said.He also connected with several situations portrayed in ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit,’ saying that the film reminded him of experiences from his own years growing up.“Many situations in the movie are things I’ve seen and heard growing up. Riding the bus during college and talking to people on the side of the road were familiar experiences,” he said. According to Mamitha, the film uses humor to tell its story and has something for audiences of all ages.Mamitha’s approach to selecting projects is driven by her interest in exploring unknown characters and settings. Instead of repeating roles she has already played, she prefers roles that offer her something new as an actress.“When I hear a story, I think about it for some time. The importance of the character and his place in the story are things I consider. If the character belongs to a completely unknown background, I try to learn as much as possible before playing him,” he said.Your preparation may also involve spending time understanding the environment around a character.“If I need to visit a place or meet people to understand the character, I do it. I don’t like to leave out even small details when preparing for a role. Every film gives me a different experience,” said Mamitha.

‘Viswanath and Sons’ gave him a new experience

Mamitha’s work in ‘Viswanath and Sons’ also took her into an unfamiliar professional and cultural environment.

The film was shot in Hyderabad, where it had to adapt to a different language, food, culture and work environment.“There was a Telugu-speaking team around me. The place, the language, the food and the culture were all different. I see all these experiences positively,” he said.Mamitha started her acting career while she was still in high school and gained wider recognition with Girish AD’s ‘Super Sharanya’. He later reached audiences outside Kerala with ‘Premalu’, further establishing himself across linguistic boundaries.With ‘Jana Nayagan’, ‘Viswanath and Sons’ and ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ joining her upcoming slate, the actress is now grabbing opportunities across industries as she continues to explore various characters in Malayalam cinema.