TAIPING-born artiste Gheetha Ammasee continues to do Malaysia proud by making a name for herself in India’s Kollywood scene. She recently received a Malaysia Book Of Records award for being the first Malaysian to play a lead actress role in India, her second entry in the book to date.
This was for her role in the crime thriller, Kaaval, which she also co-produced. The film saw a worldwide release in 2015.
When contacted yesterday, she told the New Straits T imes that she was humbled and honoured by the recognition.
Gheetha said that it was no easy feat to break into India and thanked her family, friends and fans for their unending support.
“Being in the local Tamil scene is hard enough. It’s 1,000 times tougher to get to India. They have a sea of talent there.”
“So I had to really try hard, and go looking for opportunities there. I had to be prepared for anything,” she said.
Known by her stage name, Punnagai Poo Gheetha, which means “smiling flower” in Tamil, Gheetha, started as a TV host before gaining popularity as a THR Raaga radio announcer, and produced her first made-in-India Tamil film back in 2005.
The crime drama, titled Arinthum Ariyamalum, received good response and played at cinemas in India for 175 days.
For her effort, she garnered her first entry into the Malaysia Book Of Records for being the first female Tamil movie producer to have produced a Tamil movie in India.
In 2014, Gheetha hit another milestone when the Malaysian-made action comedy Maindhan, which she co-produced and starred in, became the highest-grossing local Tamil film.
“When I was producing films, people asked me to act instead. I initially didn’t think I could do it. But Maindhan’s success gave me the confidence to try it out,” said Gheetha, who won Best Overseas Artiste award at the 2015 Edison Awards in India.
Fans will be able to see the actress in another lead role in the Indian horror comedy Sangu Chakkaram, which premieres in local cinemas tomorrow.
Written and directed by Maarison, the two-hour film opened in India last month to positive reviews from critics and is set to become a commercial success.
“I play a ghost for the first time. I was unsure at first but after reading the script, it became apparent that this was a different story,” she said.
Co-starring Dhilip Subbarayan and Nishesh, the movie also features a big group of children.
The film tells the story of a group of kids trapped in a haunted mansion with a few unsavoury adult characters.
“It’s funny because the kids end up driving the ghosts crazy with their curiosity and questions,” she said.
Gheetha added that the film also deviated from the traditional Tamil film format.
“This one has no singing or dancing and is set primarily in one location, as opposed to being shot in five countries.
“It’s basically a satirical comedy that’s great entertainment for the whole family,” she said.