Even if we start watching Sukumari’s films at a rate of one per day, we would finish only by 2033
Versatility is not something all actors possess. In fact, it’s often far more difficult to be versatile than to be prolific, which is why not many attempt it. As tedious as the task already is, the industry’s penchant for stereotyping artistes adds to the woes of those trying to expand their horizons. As a result, many end up playing characters that seem cut from the same cloth over and over again. Even the Malayalam film industry, renowned for its experimentation and revered for its artistes’ willingness not to be weighed down by their image, has at times chained actors to certain roles, thus denying them the opportunity to experiment. However, a few have stormed ahead, breaking down such barriers and not allowing anyone to reduce their artistic identity to a few archetypes. Sukumari was not just one of them, but arguably the queen among them. She could switch from Dick Ammayi (Boeing Boeing) to Devaki (Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil) at whim. For her, the journey from Revathi (Poochakkoru Mookkuthi) to Sulochana Thankappan (Thalayanamanthram) was as effortless …
