When Anupama Parameswaran broke down after being rejected for 'Premam': 'I had never been rejected before'
Today, Anupama Parameswaran is celebrated as one of the most loved faces in Malayalam and Telugu cinema, but her journey into films began with heartbreak and self-doubt. In a past interaction with Baradwaj Rangan for Galatta Plus, the actor candidly revisited the difficult audition process for her debut film ‘Premam’, recalling how rejection almost shattered her confidence before changing her life forever.
Looking back at the audition that introduced her to cinema, Anupama admitted that what stayed with her the most was not the film’s eventual success, but the emotional rejection she experienced at the very beginning. The actor revealed that she had never faced a camera before auditioning for ‘Premam’. “It was the first time I got rejected, and that’s the memory I remember most,” she shared with Baradwaj Rangan for Galatta Plus.
She explained that she entered the audition completely unaware of how film acting worked. According to her, she did not even understand what a script was at the time. Having only participated in stage performances during college, she instinctively performed the scene as though she were acting in a drama competition.
Director Alphonse Puthren was not impressed
During the audition for ‘Premam’, Anupama repeatedly made the same mistake while delivering her lines, something that reportedly frustrated director Alphonse Puthren. Recalling the moment, she said, “They said, ‘Cut! You can’t do that.’ The second time, they said ‘Action,’ and I did the same. The third time as well.”
Eventually, the team ended the audition with a polite response, telling her, “Okay, okay, good, good, we’ll let you know.” Anupama remembered leaving the place in tears, convinced she had failed completely.
After the difficult audition, a crew member offered Anupama advice that stayed with her for years. She recalled being told to practise scenes in front of a mirror if she truly wanted to become an actor. The suggestion deeply affected her because, until then, she had rarely faced failure in life.
“I had never been rejected before,” she admitted, explaining that she was used to winning prizes in competitions during her student days. Back at her hostel, the disappointment lingered for days as she repeatedly rehearsed the line “George, ith George” in private while trying to improve herself.
A second chance that changed Anupama Parameswaran’s life
Two weeks after the failed audition, Anupama unexpectedly received another call from the makers of ‘Premam’. Initially, her mother was reluctant to send her back after seeing how devastated she had been earlier. Recalling her mother’s reaction, the actor shared, “‘Last time you made my child cry, we are not sending her.’”
However, the team convinced them, and this time Anupama approached the audition differently. When the camera rolled again, she finally delivered the scene correctly. “That day changed my life,” she said while reflecting on the turning point that launched her acting career.
From ‘Premam’ to a promising new chapter
Following the success of ‘Premam’, Anupama steadily built a strong presence across Malayalam and Telugu cinema with her charming screen presence and versatile performances. The actor is now gearing up for her upcoming film ‘Paradha’, directed by Praveen Kandregula.
The film revolves around Subbu, a young woman from a conservative village whose life takes an unexpected turn during a trekking trip. ‘Paradha’ also marks the Telugu debut of Darshana Rajendran . The cast additionally features Rag Mayur and Sangeetha, with music composed by Gopi Sundar and cinematography by Mridul Sen.
Looking back at the audition that introduced her to cinema, Anupama admitted that what stayed with her the most was not the film’s eventual success, but the emotional rejection she experienced at the very beginning. The actor revealed that she had never faced a camera before auditioning for ‘Premam’. “It was the first time I got rejected, and that’s the memory I remember most,” she shared with Baradwaj Rangan for Galatta Plus.
She explained that she entered the audition completely unaware of how film acting worked. According to her, she did not even understand what a script was at the time. Having only participated in stage performances during college, she instinctively performed the scene as though she were acting in a drama competition.
Director Alphonse Puthren was not impressed
During the audition for ‘Premam’, Anupama repeatedly made the same mistake while delivering her lines, something that reportedly frustrated director Alphonse Puthren. Recalling the moment, she said, “They said, ‘Cut! You can’t do that.’ The second time, they said ‘Action,’ and I did the same. The third time as well.”
Eventually, the team ended the audition with a polite response, telling her, “Okay, okay, good, good, we’ll let you know.” Anupama remembered leaving the place in tears, convinced she had failed completely.
After the difficult audition, a crew member offered Anupama advice that stayed with her for years. She recalled being told to practise scenes in front of a mirror if she truly wanted to become an actor. The suggestion deeply affected her because, until then, she had rarely faced failure in life.
“I had never been rejected before,” she admitted, explaining that she was used to winning prizes in competitions during her student days. Back at her hostel, the disappointment lingered for days as she repeatedly rehearsed the line “George, ith George” in private while trying to improve herself.
A second chance that changed Anupama Parameswaran’s life
Two weeks after the failed audition, Anupama unexpectedly received another call from the makers of ‘Premam’. Initially, her mother was reluctant to send her back after seeing how devastated she had been earlier. Recalling her mother’s reaction, the actor shared, “‘Last time you made my child cry, we are not sending her.’”
However, the team convinced them, and this time Anupama approached the audition differently. When the camera rolled again, she finally delivered the scene correctly. “That day changed my life,” she said while reflecting on the turning point that launched her acting career.
From ‘Premam’ to a promising new chapter
Following the success of ‘Premam’, Anupama steadily built a strong presence across Malayalam and Telugu cinema with her charming screen presence and versatile performances. The actor is now gearing up for her upcoming film ‘Paradha’, directed by Praveen Kandregula.
The film revolves around Subbu, a young woman from a conservative village whose life takes an unexpected turn during a trekking trip. ‘Paradha’ also marks the Telugu debut of Darshana Rajendran . The cast additionally features Rag Mayur and Sangeetha, with music composed by Gopi Sundar and cinematography by Mridul Sen.
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