Anju Kurian’s first impression of Chennai is still vivid, and it could be because we are once again heading into a merciless summer.

“I’d come down for my college admission in 2010, and I remember the heat!” she says. The architect-turned-actor from Kottayam, who now calls the city her home, talks about this week’s release, July Kaatril, and her journey so far.

For those who need reminding, the 26-year-old played sister to Nivin Pauly’s characters in Neram and Premam, and was recently seen in Njan Prakashan.

How much of your July Kaatril character is the real you?

I play Shreya, a psychologist and a student counsellor, who is a compassionate, soft-spoken person. She is also an introvert who takes love very seriously. It is basically who I am in real life. Like 70% of me in real life... (laughs).

Anju Kurian   | Photo Credit: Arun V R

You’ve said that you try not to play stereotypical roles...

Yes. It is also why I choose to wait for good roles to come my way in Tamil and Telugu (she debuted in Idam Jagath in 2018). Malayalam cinema offers more variety.

Has Njan Prakashan’s success brought you more films?

Actually, I shot for July Kaatril and Jeem Bhoom Bha (her upcoming Malayalam film) much before Njan Prakashan. It is just that these films are only releasing now. I have signed a new Malayalam film and the cast and crew are big names.

You had a fear of facing the camera.

I’m a very shy person. As a child, I would hesitate to stand with my parents and have a family photo clicked. The only photo you’d find of me from back then would be from the school’s yearbook photo.

But you are comfortable with all the attention now.

Dubsmash and musical.ly videos helped a lot. It brought me out of my shell. It was my own space and I was the director, editor and cinematographer of all my videos.

Anju Kurian   | Photo Credit: Bala Kumaran

Some acting hacks you’ve learnt along the way?

I don’t like using glycerine for emotional scenes. So I listen to sad songs to get into a sombre mood.

What happened to the architect?

I used to work in a private firm here in Chennai, but quit two years ago to concentrate on films. I think it is the right time to pursue acting and I can always go back (to architecture).

How well do you speak Tamil?

Pretty good. Though the first sentence I learnt to say properly was “Sathyama solren nee urupadave maate...” (laughs).

One actor in Tamil you’d like to work with soon?

Vijay Sethupathi. I love all his work and I have watched most of his movies.