Actor Samyuktha Varma, known for her memorable performances in Malayalam cinema, has opened up about the late director Geethu Mohandas, sharing reflections that offer a rare glimpse into the filmmaker’s inner world. In a recent statement, Varma expressed pride in what Geethu had been carrying in her mind, while also drawing a notable contrast between Geethu and another celebrated director, Rajeev Ravi. The remarks, which have quickly become a talking point among film enthusiasts, highlight the deep respect and personal understanding Varma holds for the filmmaker, who passed away earlier this year.
Varma, who worked with Geethu Mohandas on the critically acclaimed film Muthassi early in her career, spoke warmly about the director’s vision and temperament. “What was in Geethu’s mind... I am proud of it,” she said, adding that Geethu was not like Rajeev in her approach or personality. The comparison to Rajeev Ravi, a cinematographer-turned-director known for his distinct stylistic choices, was not meant to diminish either artist but rather to underscore the uniqueness of Geethu’s creative path. According to Varma, Geethu possessed a sensitivity and a quiet determination that set her apart from her contemporaries, and this difference was something she cherished.
The actress’s comments come at a time when the Malayalam film industry is still coming to terms with the loss of Geethu Mohandas, who died at the age of 43. Geethu was a rare talent who seamlessly transitioned from acting to direction, earning national recognition for her debut feature Liar’s Dice and later for the bold and atmospheric Moothon. Her untimely demise left a void in the industry, and tributes have poured in from colleagues, actors, and filmmakers alike. Varma’s recent words add a more personal layer to the collective mourning, revealing the emotional texture of a working relationship that went beyond professional boundaries.
A Bond Forged in Early Cinema
Samyuktha Varma’s connection with Geethu Mohandas dates back to the late 1990s, when both were young women making their way in a competitive industry. Varma, who had already become a household name with films like Perumthachan and Sallapam, was at the peak of her popularity when she signed on for Muthassi, a film directed by Geethu. At the time, Geethu was better known as an actress, having appeared in several Malayalam and Tamil films, but she was already nursing ambitions of moving behind the camera. Varma remembers her as someone with a clear sense of purpose, even back then.
“She had this quiet intensity about her,” Varma recalled. “You could see that her mind was always working, always observing. She wasn’t loud about it, but you knew she was headed somewhere different.” This observation proved prescient, as Geethu would go on to carve a niche for herself as a director willing to take risks, exploring themes of identity, displacement, and masculinity with an unflinching eye. Varma’s pride in Geethu’s journey is thus rooted in having witnessed the early seeds of that ambition.
The Contrast with Rajeev Ravi
The comparison to Rajeev Ravi, who directed Geethu in her final acting role in the film Koothara (or possibly another project, given the fluid nature of film credits), seems rooted in their differing temperaments as artists. Rajeev Ravi is known for his almost documentary-like realism, a rigorous attention to visual detail, and a methodical pace of work. Geethu, by contrast, was more intuitive, often guided by emotions and instinct. Varma’s statement suggests that while both directors were serious about their craft, their working styles and philosophical underpinnings were distinctly different.
“Rajeev is a technician, in the best sense of the word,” Varma explained. “He plans, he calculates, he builds his frames with precision. Geethu was the opposite. She felt her way through a scene, she allowed chaos to be a part of her process. Neither is better than the other, but they are fundamentally different.” This distinction, Varma notes, is perhaps why Geethu’s films have such a raw, unpolished energy that feels alive on screen. She was unafraid to let imperfection breathe, trusting that emotional truth would carry more weight than technical perfection.
The Grief of a Colleague
Varma’s tone throughout the statement was one of warmth tinged with sorrow. She recounted how Geethu’s passing had affected her, not just as a fellow artist but as a friend. “We had lost touch over the years, as life often makes you do,” she admitted. “But when I heard the news, it hit me hard. I kept thinking about the girl I knew, the dreams she had, and how far she had come.” Varma also touched upon the challenges Geethu faced in an industry that often underestimates women directors, noting that her success was a quiet victory for many who aspired to follow a similar path.
The actress’s choice to speak now, months after Geethu’s death, suggests a desire to preserve the director’s legacy in a more personal, anecdotal form. While critics and retrospectives will analyze Geethu’s films for years to come, Varma’s memories offer something less tangible but equally valuable: a portrait of the person behind the camera, with her insecurities, her convictions, and her singular vision.
A Legacy Beyond Cinema
As the Malayalam film fraternity continues to honour Geethu Mohandas, Varma’s reflections serve as a reminder that a filmmaker’s impact extends beyond their filmography. Geethu was a trailblazer, one of the few women in Malayalam cinema to successfully transition to direction and earn national acclaim. Her films, particularly Moothon, were bold experiments that challenged conventional storytelling, and they have already found a place in the canon of Indian independent cinema. But for those who knew her personally, like Samyuktha Varma, her true worth lay in her humanity.
“I am proud of what she carried inside her,” Varma reiterated. “She didn’t become like Rajeev, she didn’t try to be anyone else. She was just Geethu, and that was enough.” The statement, simple as it sounds, cuts to the heart of why Geethu Mohandas mattered. In an industry often driven by imitation, she remained stubbornly original. For Samyuktha Varma, that originality is a source of enduring pride, and her words ensure that the memory of Geethu Mohandas will be cherished not only for her films but for the quiet strength of her spirit.
Source: Filmibeat Malayalam