Pradhana Vizha 2011

I didn't win, but it's okay. *pats myself on the back*

But hey, I got nominated, remember? And *self comforting* it's not about who wins the award, it's about who wins the hearts of the viewers, am I not right?

*kicks myself*

Okay okay, to say I don't feel sad is faking it big time. Who doesn't want an award on their portfolio? Hey, it helps to up the price for future negotiations, you know? But then, honestly, how many viewers' hearts have Vyjayanthi not captured? =) I'm not trying to be proud, really, but the role was really good, and the show was memorable, I'm sure many of you can vouch for that. So in a way, even if I didn't win, I know that the role belonged to me, and I'm very very thankful for that.

Well, Vyjayanthi won Best Drama. That's something, isn't it? ^.^

Anyway, enough about the awards. Wanna know what I wore that night?

Huh? Of course I wore a saree! That was all Vyjayanthi wore!

Waddya think?

Well after taking pictures with the whole world and it's time to go, I realized I have not taken a single picture of me, myself, with I. So I took it outside the Reception area. And background included a fugly "No Smoking" sign. So I've decided to just do away with the background and let you focus on my saree. Lol.

It was a very nice Royal Purple saree, complete with all the sewn-on embellishments. Yup I got it especially for Pradhana. Well, instead of the usual formal gowns, why not? Plus I could always wear it to other formal events and make a statement. ;)

 Me camwhoring, pretending to be calm when I was all fidgety on the seat because I was trying hard to remember my speech in case I won. Eh what, one should always be prepared for the best okay. ;)

My hairstylist, Comb. Yup, my partner for the night. He did my hair for me, obviously.

Nice not? A bit messy cos I took these pictures after the whole event when I got home. And had removed like 15 pins from my head. 

But still, it was a pretty hairstyle, neat, elegant, cute. ;)

Now, for (almost) all those whom I've worked with, I've managed to steal a picture...

Ramesh. He taught me the dance for Tamizha Tamizha, and he also taught me my first Indian dance back in 2005, while doing a charity programme for Channel 8. 

Gayathri, my sister in the show (Susila). She won Most Popular Female Artiste! YAY!!! I'm so proud of her!!! Humble, talented, pretty. Naaaice.

 The man who stayed by Vyjayanthi all her life without being 'with' her - Dharma Raj. Karthik!!!!

It's nice to see him looking all young and NOT forlorn and sheepish. Because he was all those things in the show!

 The cast and crew of Vyjayanthi. Not all of us, of course. I wish all of us were there though. 

Gayathiri, I'm still waiting for our "Wrap Party"! Wrap until where already ah????

 Shen, me and Elamaran.

Shen, in my speech, had I gotten the Best Newcomer, I included you in my list of people to thank. Because you said all the artistes always forget the Assistant Producers (who happen to work the hardest in any production, if you ask me) in their thank-you speeches. I had wanted to thank you and Muneera and Mala and Gayathiri. Because you guys made it all possible. ;)

 Gayathiri Selvam, Gayathiri Selvam...where would Vyjayanthi be without you? Now that you're on your long-deserved break after 6 years in the media industry, aren't you proud that Vyjayanthi won "Best Drama"?

This girl (I think I mentioned countless times) was the one who chose and entrusted me with the role of "Vyjayanthi". It was a gamble, because she knew nothing about my background acting experience, and it was an experiment which turned out well. I am very very very very grateful for the opportunities given to me, and really, I owe it all to Gayathiri for giving me the chance to assimilate into the local Tamil television industry. 

I fell in love with the sarees, the language, the culture. And guess what? I've started looking around for adult Tamil classes. ;)

And oh! Thank you Gayathiri for your special mention in your thank-you speech. *blush*

Watch her on Pradhana Vizha (xinmsn) at about 45 minutes to an hour into the show--> http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/main-show/1tndgggbu

Eh though I didn't understand a word (and there were no subtitles cos it was "live"), the hosts kept me entertained throughout. I simply love how lively, fun and spontaneous the hosting was.

Venga! The director who made me shine. No other director has given me so much freedom to portray a character as I interpret it. And he's managed to bring out the essence of my character with all his "Can you turn slowly to the right in 5 seconds, pause, and drop a tear on the right eye?".

Venga, thank you for the award you have personally given me. Yes, that in itself is more precious than any other award that can be presented to me by the channel, because you are one of the life-givers of Vasantham shows.

 Yah, like real.

What, Vyjayanthi won Best Drama what, and I am Vyjayanthi leh...LOL!!!

*pukes*

Okok let's be serious. This award belongs to all of us, cast and crew who worked on the project. Thank you everyone who put in their all. So many boo-boos, and you have no idea...anything that could go wrong literally went wrong on the project...the cemetery with Dharma's grave, Independence Days (that's our code for impending storms), last minute scripts, actors that went missing, shoots that can't be done because of all kinds of reasons which would end up with us having crab at Tekka. It was hard work, and it was fun.

If you asked me what's the best thing that has happened to me so far in my acting career, I would say it is this - Vyjayanthi.

If you have not watched it yet, please do so...it is worth your time, I promise you.

--> www.xinmsn.com/vyjayanthi

Mammoi!

Vyju

Pradhana Vizha 2011

I didn't win, but it's okay. *pats myself on the back*

But hey, I got nominated, remember? And *self comforting* it's not about who wins the award, it's about who wins the hearts of the viewers, am I not right?

*kicks myself*

Okay okay, to say I don't feel sad is faking it big time. Who doesn't want an award on their portfolio? Hey, it helps to up the price for future negotiations, you know? But then, honestly, how many viewers' hearts have Vyjayanthi not captured? =) I'm not trying to be proud, really, but the role was really good, and the show was memorable, I'm sure many of you can vouch for that. So in a way, even if I didn't win, I know that the role belonged to me, and I'm very very thankful for that.

Well, Vyjayanthi won Best Drama. That's something, isn't it? ^.^

Anyway, enough about the awards. Wanna know what I wore that night?

Huh? Of course I wore a saree! That was all Vyjayanthi wore!

Waddya think?

Well after taking pictures with the whole world and it's time to go, I realized I have not taken a single picture of me, myself, with I. So I took it outside the Reception area. And background included a fugly "No Smoking" sign. So I've decided to just do away with the background and let you focus on my saree. Lol.

It was a very nice Royal Purple saree, complete with all the sewn-on embellishments. Yup I got it especially for Pradhana. Well, instead of the usual formal gowns, why not? Plus I could always wear it to other formal events and make a statement. ;)

 Me camwhoring, pretending to be calm when I was all fidgety on the seat because I was trying hard to remember my speech in case I won. Eh what, one should always be prepared for the best okay. ;)

My hairstylist, Comb. Yup, my partner for the night. He did my hair for me, obviously.

Nice not? A bit messy cos I took these pictures after the whole event when I got home. And had removed like 15 pins from my head. 

But still, it was a pretty hairstyle, neat, elegant, cute. ;)

Now, for (almost) all those whom I've worked with, I've managed to steal a picture...

Ramesh. He taught me the dance for Tamizha Tamizha, and he also taught me my first Indian dance back in 2005, while doing a charity programme for Channel 8. 

Gayathri, my sister in the show (Susila). She won Most Popular Female Artiste! YAY!!! I'm so proud of her!!! Humble, talented, pretty. Naaaice.

 The man who stayed by Vyjayanthi all her life without being 'with' her - Dharma Raj. Karthik!!!!

It's nice to see him looking all young and NOT forlorn and sheepish. Because he was all those things in the show!

 The cast and crew of Vyjayanthi. Not all of us, of course. I wish all of us were there though. 

Gayathiri, I'm still waiting for our "Wrap Party"! Wrap until where already ah????

 Shen, me and Elamaran.

Shen, in my speech, had I gotten the Best Newcomer, I included you in my list of people to thank. Because you said all the artistes always forget the Assistant Producers (who happen to work the hardest in any production, if you ask me) in their thank-you speeches. I had wanted to thank you and Muneera and Mala and Gayathiri. Because you guys made it all possible. ;)

 Gayathiri Selvam, Gayathiri Selvam...where would Vyjayanthi be without you? Now that you're on your long-deserved break after 6 years in the media industry, aren't you proud that Vyjayanthi won "Best Drama"?

This girl (I think I mentioned countless times) was the one who chose and entrusted me with the role of "Vyjayanthi". It was a gamble, because she knew nothing about my background acting experience, and it was an experiment which turned out well. I am very very very very grateful for the opportunities given to me, and really, I owe it all to Gayathiri for giving me the chance to assimilate into the local Tamil television industry. 

I fell in love with the sarees, the language, the culture. And guess what? I've started looking around for adult Tamil classes. ;)

And oh! Thank you Gayathiri for your special mention in your thank-you speech. *blush*

Watch her on Pradhana Vizha (xinmsn) at about 45 minutes to an hour into the show--> http://video.xin.msn.com/watch/video/main-show/1tndgggbu

Eh though I didn't understand a word (and there were no subtitles cos it was "live"), the hosts kept me entertained throughout. I simply love how lively, fun and spontaneous the hosting was.

Venga! The director who made me shine. No other director has given me so much freedom to portray a character as I interpret it. And he's managed to bring out the essence of my character with all his "Can you turn slowly to the right in 5 seconds, pause, and drop a tear on the right eye?".

Venga, thank you for the award you have personally given me. Yes, that in itself is more precious than any other award that can be presented to me by the channel, because you are one of the life-givers of Vasantham shows.

 Yah, like real.

What, Vyjayanthi won Best Drama what, and I am Vyjayanthi leh...LOL!!!

*pukes*

Okok let's be serious. This award belongs to all of us, cast and crew who worked on the project. Thank you everyone who put in their all. So many boo-boos, and you have no idea...anything that could go wrong literally went wrong on the project...the cemetery with Dharma's grave, Independence Days (that's our code for impending storms), last minute scripts, actors that went missing, shoots that can't be done because of all kinds of reasons which would end up with us having crab at Tekka. It was hard work, and it was fun.

If you asked me what's the best thing that has happened to me so far in my acting career, I would say it is this - Vyjayanthi.

If you have not watched it yet, please do so...it is worth your time, I promise you.

--> www.xinmsn.com/vyjayanthi

Mammoi!

Vyju

Vyjayanthi at KTM

Since the topic of Vyjayanthi is the talk of the town (I say so...lol~), let me share with you some behind the scenes pictures of the shoot, how about that? =D

"Vyjayanthi" is a show set in the 1950s, 60s, so it is to be expected that you will not see the air-conditioners, PS3 consoles, HDB flats and elevators like you would with the shows you watch now. I got information from the production crew that this drama, "Vyjayanthi", is the first ever Tamil drama set in those days in Singapore. There were no documented films that they could make references to, and thus what they could rely on were Chinese dramas set in those times, and the experiences of the elder crew who lived in those times. 

Sounds interesting already, doesn't it? 

One of the very few places left in Singapore which still looks like it belongs to the 1960s, is the KTM Railway Station at Tanjong Pagar. Because that land belongs to Malaysia (yup, for you youngsters out there, there ARE actually parts of Singapore land which does NOT belong to us!), it has kept its rustic charm. Not exactly a bad thing, since it allows the younger generation to sneak a peek into the olden days... 

 I think someone actually resides in this house...

This particular house, super champion. Inside were at least 6 chickens, free range (they kept walking out of the fencing to check us out...the chickens, not the owners), a few turkeys, and I even saw a goat... This IS an authentic kampung house~~~~

Me pretending to look 'authentically 60's' as well. There was a pair of shorts hanging outside (don't know if it even belongs to anyone or how long it has been hanging there, I felt a bit grossed out touching it...lol~) and I was trying to look like I was hanging out the laundry. Er...I have NO idea if Indians wore flower shorts then. Lol~

I said I learnt a bit about Indian culture right? There's this thing where they would walk barefoot all the way from their home to the temple for prayers, and they would walk with one foot in front of the other, heel touching toe, not breaking the link. I don't know the reason behind it, but now I know they actually do that. Wah imagine if it's a hot sunny day at 34 degrees celsius. The road must be super hot, so it must be quite painful to do this~ 

I would choose to do my prayers before sunrise or after sunset~~~ Lol~

Else I'd be happiest on cloudy days like this...

 The crew. Whoever said film production was an easy and glamorous task is awfully wrong... Lol~ Lighting is best on a sunny day, and when it rains, you have to RUN to get the camera into shelter, not yourself. Sometimes you have to stick yourself amidst long grass and muddy soil...

Of course, when the show airs, that satisfaction is there la....

 Getting a shot of the train as it passes. If we miss this, we gotta wait 2 hours for the next train...

This is Kak Nurihan, my makeup artist cum hairstylist for the show. She's got great fashion sense man, and when someone with great fashion sense dolls you up, you somehow feel you're in safer hands. =D

From left, that's Gayathri, producer of the show, Kak Nurihan, me, and my co-actor. Don't play play, he is Mr Vasantham from the Vasantham Manhunt okay? 

P/s. you may start seeing him in other manhunt-type contests soon...maybe in your fave mag, maybe on TV...maybe...I dunno la huh, I didn't say anything~ =D *zips*

"Vyjayanthi" airs 16th February, 2011 on Vasantham. I will be updating more behind-the-scenes pictures when I can~! Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of my blog posts k?  Free can go take the poll at the sidebar, or go visit my STomp's "I Say You Say" feature and give your comments on the topics~!

Vanakkam~~~ (It is both "Hello" AND "Goodbye", fyi)

Pottu&Saree,

The Vyjayanthi in "Vyjayanthi"

Vyjayanthi at KTM

Since the topic of Vyjayanthi is the talk of the town (I say so...lol~), let me share with you some behind the scenes pictures of the shoot, how about that? =D

"Vyjayanthi" is a show set in the 1950s, 60s, so it is to be expected that you will not see the air-conditioners, PS3 consoles, HDB flats and elevators like you would with the shows you watch now. I got information from the production crew that this drama, "Vyjayanthi", is the first ever Tamil drama set in those days in Singapore. There were no documented films that they could make references to, and thus what they could rely on were Chinese dramas set in those times, and the experiences of the elder crew who lived in those times. 

Sounds interesting already, doesn't it? 

One of the very few places left in Singapore which still looks like it belongs to the 1960s, is the KTM Railway Station at Tanjong Pagar. Because that land belongs to Malaysia (yup, for you youngsters out there, there ARE actually parts of Singapore land which does NOT belong to us!), it has kept its rustic charm. Not exactly a bad thing, since it allows the younger generation to sneak a peek into the olden days... 

 I think someone actually resides in this house...

This particular house, super champion. Inside were at least 6 chickens, free range (they kept walking out of the fencing to check us out...the chickens, not the owners), a few turkeys, and I even saw a goat... This IS an authentic kampung house~~~~

Me pretending to look 'authentically 60's' as well. There was a pair of shorts hanging outside (don't know if it even belongs to anyone or how long it has been hanging there, I felt a bit grossed out touching it...lol~) and I was trying to look like I was hanging out the laundry. Er...I have NO idea if Indians wore flower shorts then. Lol~

I said I learnt a bit about Indian culture right? There's this thing where they would walk barefoot all the way from their home to the temple for prayers, and they would walk with one foot in front of the other, heel touching toe, not breaking the link. I don't know the reason behind it, but now I know they actually do that. Wah imagine if it's a hot sunny day at 34 degrees celsius. The road must be super hot, so it must be quite painful to do this~ 

I would choose to do my prayers before sunrise or after sunset~~~ Lol~

Else I'd be happiest on cloudy days like this...

 The crew. Whoever said film production was an easy and glamorous task is awfully wrong... Lol~ Lighting is best on a sunny day, and when it rains, you have to RUN to get the camera into shelter, not yourself. Sometimes you have to stick yourself amidst long grass and muddy soil...

Of course, when the show airs, that satisfaction is there la....

 Getting a shot of the train as it passes. If we miss this, we gotta wait 2 hours for the next train...

This is Kak Nurihan, my makeup artist cum hairstylist for the show. She's got great fashion sense man, and when someone with great fashion sense dolls you up, you somehow feel you're in safer hands. =D

From left, that's Gayathri, producer of the show, Kak Nurihan, me, and my co-actor. Don't play play, he is Mr Vasantham from the Vasantham Manhunt okay? 

P/s. you may start seeing him in other manhunt-type contests soon...maybe in your fave mag, maybe on TV...maybe...I dunno la huh, I didn't say anything~ =D *zips*

"Vyjayanthi" airs 16th February, 2011 on Vasantham. I will be updating more behind-the-scenes pictures when I can~! Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of my blog posts k?  Free can go take the poll at the sidebar, or go visit my STomp's "I Say You Say" feature and give your comments on the topics~!

Vanakkam~~~ (It is both "Hello" AND "Goodbye", fyi)

Pottu&Saree,

The Vyjayanthi in "Vyjayanthi"