Actress Binny Sebastian, who made waves in the recent season of Bigg Boss Malayalam, is also a familiar face for TV audiences through her serial Geetha Govindam. Speaking to us, the actress shares her life after the reality show, the films she has been part of, and more:‘It’s exciting to move through formats’I have been working on TV continuously for the past three years.
I think cinema has a more concise form, as opposed to the slightly more dramatic productions in serials. It’s exciting to move through formats and learn new things, like dialogue delivery, from directors and co-actors, too. With all the learning experience that comes with them, films can become addictive too, which is probably why people don’t like going back from films to other formats.‘I have become more expressive on social media’Before Bigg Boss, I only spoke about my work and positive stuff on social media.
But after Bigg Boss, I have become more expressive. Earlier, mostly family audiences knew me; now, people from different age groups do. I wanted to do films and, ultimately, if you ask me whether I have reached there, I would say no. That’s a little disappointing. What I want to do is an impactful character. It’s very tough to be in the spotlight at first.
There is a limit to countering the hate we receive through our social media pages.
I always focus on ignoring their statements, and sometimes, only when it gets too personal, do I react to the YouTubers. They even point out that I’m a doctor-turned-actor as a point of contention.‘TV connects us more deeply with audiences’While working in television, you connect well with people if it’s a positive character. They address me by my on-screen name even now when I go out. They consider us a part of their family, invite us for a meal, etc.
As artistes, we learn daily on television sets. The income is more stable for two to three years. Also, not everyone in cinema can get the sort of audience and following that a serial actor does. A TV actor is there for people to see every day, unlike doing small roles in films, which are over after a one-time watch.
It connects more deeply with the audience and takes us closer to the people.‘I did Vere Oru Case before Bigg Boss’My film Vere Oru Case, which I did before entering Bigg Boss, is based on a true story — something that happened in the life of a couple in Kollam. It was screened at the Rajasthan Film Festival, and the team won accolades there. My next film, Rashi, is alongside my husband (actor Noobin). It explores the bond between a man and his sister. I play the brother’s wife. It should hit theatres this year. In fact, this is the first time we are making an on-screen appearance as a reel couple.
