Unique characters are my priority rather than the platforms : Sreejith Vijay

Despite making his TV debut with the serial Avaril Oral just last year, Sreejith Vijay has already become a familiar face. The actor who is enjoying his space in the new platform says that it has provided him a mode to connect better with his audience. Little wonder then that the actor is back on the small screen again with his new serial Swathi Nakshatram Chothi, which will be aired on the latest Malayalam channel from today.
The actor says that he was hooked the moment he heard the first narration of the serial. “When I heard the plot, the first thing that struck me was that I could relate to 90% of the elements of the serial and especially the character. So, it never felt like acting when my scenes were shot. I play Neil, a young, aspiring actor who have his own ideas about life and choosing a life partner. But things turn topsy turvy with time. Being an actor, there are several instances in my personal life that I could relate to,” says Sreejith.
Directed by Shyju Sukesh, Swathi Nakshatram Chothi is the Malayalam adaptation of the popular Hindi soap Badho Bahu and has actress Vandana Krishnan playing the female protagonist. The serial revolves around an overweight girl Swathi who is humble by nature and how she overcomes the issues in her life.

Elaborating on his second TV project, Sreejith says, “After Avaril Oral, I got several other projects but nothing was convincing for me. I love Ayushmann Khurrana’s movies and one of his movies, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, also which revolves around his character who is married to a plus-size woman. I also wanted to be part of a realistic story and this serial deals with a contemporary subject that has not been tackled in our Malayalam serials.”

Ask him how much his previous serial has helped establish a connect with the audience and he says, “Avaril Oral helped me understand the taste of the telly audience. I got to know how the industry works and what stories are preferred by viewers. They too look for new shows and plots, but these subjects must connect to the common man.”
Sreejith stresses that his upcoming project is packed with such elements and promises to be like watching a small film. “Once we released the promos of the serial, the reaction has been positive from the youth and others. I think it’s because we are trying to tell a new thought-provoking subject rather than a clichéd tear jerker. This serial will also be an inspiration for those who are like Swathi in real life and are mocked for their bodies. I think this serial will change the so-called outlook of Malayalam serials both technically and content wise.”
Apart from the serial, Sreejith also has signed a film, which will mark the directorial debut of Murali Mohan. “I play an eccentric character in the film that will be released next month. So, for me unique characters are the priority rather than the platforms,” signs off Sreejith.