With about 500 films to her credit, including all south Indian languages - "I've never kept count" says she - Shiela's had some of the most memorable roles and peformances to her credit in a career that began a little more than four decades ago. So, the actress' first national award in her comeback film the Shyama Prasad-directed 'Akalae' (best supporting actress) does come a bit too late in her career. But Shiela is unperturbed and has a point when she says, "When an actor like Sivaji Ganesan hasn't ever got the national award for best actor, and when a place like France has honoured him with a Chevalier even before we honoured him, am I better than him to get it?" The actress, however, adds that "I'm enjoying it since I've got it!"
Shiela says that her real reward is the appreciation of her fans. "They love me so much and that's enough for me. When I re-entered films after a long gap with 'Manasin Akkare' I was a bit apprehensive. But all my fears were unfounded for the audience took me to their heart," says the actress. She recollects that when she went to see the film in the theatre with the audience, her eyes had filled with tears at the audience response.
"My first appearance in the film was in a long shot. But even then the audience recognised me and there was a resounding applause all round. It was such a great feeling and a great moment for me. A thousand times more rewarding and fulfilling than getting any award," says the actress.
Coming back to the awards, Shiela confesses that she's not always been happy with the way the awards are being given. "There's so much of politics and lobbying. At times, when unworthy recipients are given at the expense of the worthy ones, it upsets me a lot. I want to take it up as an issue," says the actress.
Shiela gives all the credit for her re-entry to her son George (aka Vishnu who's acting in films and serials). The actress had left films and settled in Ootty, busying herself with her son's upbringing and education, rejecting any offers she got. But when she got the offer a year ago to act again, it was George who coaxed her to don the grease paint again. "George brought me back to the field, and he's the happiest at my winning the award," says Shiela.
bout her award winning role in 'Akalae', Shiela says that it was not just playing mother to two youngsters but a challenging role with various nuances. Says she, "Shyama Prasad knew how to extract good work from his artistes. The film was shot in about thee weeks on a very limited budget. But it walked away with most of the awards, at the state level too." Including the best supporting actress award again for Shiela.
About the younger generation, Shiela says, "Nowadays anyone can act!" She finds the younger crop clever, some of them very emotional, very insecure and very impatient too. But adds that they are very sweet and give her the respect due to a senior. "It's better than olden days that way!" she adds.
One of her favourites is Mammootty with whom she acted in 'Thaskara Veeran'. "Mammootty was so nice, a very emotional person and so straightforward. I've seen him laugh and cry too, he's so child-like, a man with no hypocracy at all," the fondness for the megastar evident in her voice. The actress also remembers her interaction with Rajnikant during 'Chandramukhi'. 'Rajni is so very polite, and down-to-earth. He'll even get up when he sees me," says Shiela of the Superstar.
Today the actress is not in any great hurry to sign all that's offered her. She's taking it easy as she wants only challenging roles. "People's expectations are high. This comeback is for myself and not to prove anything. I've done four films now, because they were projects I wanted to do," says the actress.
One of the happy moments she recollects is when she, with many of the cast and crew of 'Chemmeen', had gone on a trek to the seashore to the spot where the film was shot. "It was a great moment of nostalgia for all of us, sharing the nice times we'd had. Lakhs of people had gathered there to see us," says Shiela in an emotion-filled voice. An actress and a woman who seems at peace with herself!
Lttle known facts about Shiela:
Shiela has scripted and directed three films in Malayalam, two of them were remade in Tamil, one being the Rajnikant-starrer 'Aayiram Janmangal'.
And the other, the Sarita-starrer - 'Rusi Kanda Poonai'.
The actress is a multi-lingual and has written about 40 short stories, some of them for Tamil magazines like 'Ananda Vikatan' and 'Kumudham'.
And she's penned a novel in Malayalam, titled 'Kuyilindey Koodu'.
Added to that she's a painter too.
Her pairing with Prem Naseer in a record number of 107 films, has got the duo entry into the Guinness Book of World Records.
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