Cinema is a thread that binds people together: Anaswara Rajan

Anaswara Rajan began her acting journey at 15, entering Malayalam cinema at an age when most teenagers are still figuring themselves out. Working early on with actors such as Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran, she steadily carved a space for herself before expanding into other industries.

The actress recently made her Telugu debut with the period drama Champion, was also seen in the Tamil–Telugu bilingual With Love, and is currently filming Itlu Arjuna opposite Sai Aniesh Reddy.

In a conversation with us, Anaswara reflects on navigating cinema across languages, growing up in the public eye, and the conversations that continue to shape her understanding of the craft.

‘Cinema doesn’t divide people the way society often does’I entered the world of cinema when I was 15, starting with Udaharanam Sujatha.

From the very beginning, films fascinated me not just as stories on screen but as something deeply woven into everyday life. I have always felt that cinema has a unique ability to bring people together in ways that many other things cannot. It doesn’t divide people the way society often does; instead, it creates shared experiences.Whether it is a family discussing a film over dinner or strangers bonding over a scene they both loved, cinema becomes a common language.

Being part of this world so early meant that films didn’t remain just a profession for me. They slowly became a part of who I am. Growing up alongside cinema has shaped my worldview, my sensitivities, and the way I observe people and emotions around me.‘Filming Champion offered a fascinating glimpse into Telangana’s history’Most of the Telugu films I watched while growing up were Malayalam-dubbed versions. Movies like Happy and Arya were among my earliest introductions to Telugu cinema, so I was familiar with the films even though the language itself felt distant.

With Champion, my Telugu debut, I stepped into a completely new cultural and linguistic space. It was a pre-Independence period drama, and as someone coming from Kerala, the process was challenging at many levels.

At the same time, it offered a fascinating glimpse into Telangana’s history, its emotional depth, and its cultural context. Discovering these layers made the experience deeply rewarding and helped me connect with thestory beyond language barriers.

‘An actor must always be aware of the audience they are catering to’Working across industries has made me more aware of how different cinematic languages function. Malayalam films often rely on subtlety and nuanced emotions, while Telugu cinema is louder, more expressive, and visually grand. I genuinely appreciate both approaches.As an actor, I believe it is important to adapt my performance to the audience I am speaking to. When I am part of a Telugu and Tamil film, I have to deliver in a way that resonates with that audience. Experimentation is always possible, but it has to come with an awareness of how it will connect. Understanding viewers, their expectations, and the cinematic grammar of each industry is essential.