Sukumari, a record holder of 2500+ films in 50 years had been bestowed with 'Padmasree' this year. She travels through her unforgettable filmy past in a meeting with press people in Trivandrum. Incidentally that was her first meeting with a mob of presspersons. She acknowledged the thrill of meeting many mainstream reporters. She acknowledges the good will of Tamil Nadu Government in recommending the Central Government for the Padmasree award. Kerala Government did not do it. The Chairman of KSFDC Mr P V Gangadharan referred her name. Transport minister Ganesh kumar also referred. It should have been officially done by the culture department, which was not done at the right time.

Q. Wasn't it a bit too late? The Honor of 'Padmasree'?
Sukumari: So many who called me to congratulate told me about it. But Things come your way when it is really due. You need to wait for certain things in life. It cannot be bought or arranged as and when you desire. I am as I was before and after getting the Padmasree. I am happy as it is. My family and world is only the Cinema land. The honor goes to each and everyone in the film world. It is the production boy who gives me a glass of water when I am thirsty. Not anybody in my house. So the honor personally goes to him also.

Q. Can you recall the beginning of your career?
Sukumari: I started dancing when I was 10. Though I was born in Trivandrum I lived all my life in Madras except for a brief period with my own parents. My mother's sister took me to Madras where all her daughters were in films, acting and dancing. (Sukumari was referring to Saraswathy Amma and her daughters the renowned 'Travancore Sisters' Lalitha, Ragini, Padmini. It was Saraswathi Amma and Chandrakumar, father of actress Shobana who guided and helped Sukumari to get into films.)

Q. When did you act first in a film?
Sukumari: That was at the age of ten. It was a Tamil movie. 'ORU IRAVU'. It was a song sequence. (She has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, and Hindi films.) The first major role was in THASKARAVEERAN in '57. This was made in 6 languages. The same year I acted in 'KOODAPPIRAPPU'.

She has completed 50 years of film career but she has not thought about quitting yet. (May be she thinks people do not retire at 63 unless they are bored or inefficient. Any way she is not)

No body wanted me to quit. And I am not thinking of it either. I will go on acting till it comes to a natural end.

Q. What do you think of acting in 'old age' roles?
Sukumari: I have done all kinds of roles. I have acted with all the generation of actors. I have acted with Satyan, Thikkurissi, Premnazir, Madhu, Jayan, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Jayaram, Kunchako Boban, now with Krishna. He has my family blood. (Krishna is grandson of Lalitha). What more an actress wants other than acting with a whole lot of stars of many consecutive generations?

Q. Is there any role that you wanted to do but could not?
Sukumari: No. But could have done a role of a dumb girl.

Q. You are acting in a mega serial now. There was a controversy about film artists acting in serials. What do you think about it?
Sukumari: Only those who are not busy in films accept in TV serials. Acting is our profession. Films and TV are our medium. We act where we are wanted.

Q. You were a part of mainstream film for a long period. How was then the ADOOR film?
Sukumari: All are cinemas. It was like all other sets and location. I did not feel anything different. May be because the artists were known to me very well. Some people warned me about this film. But to me it was the most satisfying work and a real fast one. I finished my part of shooting first in the film.

Q. Do you think Mammootty and Mohanlal times are over?
Sukumari: No, KOTTARAKKARA was off the screen for a considerable period. But he came back with more powerful roles. These actors will also do good roles in the future.

Q. Heard a lot about your activities in stage.
Sukumari: Yes, I am a member of Chi Ramaswami's drama troupe. I do at least one stage acting even now.

Q. Do you intend to direct films?
Sukumari. I have a job now. That's what I am destined to do.

63 is not an age for filmy dancing, considering the discomforts of the body, location, whether. But to Sukumari it is a part of life. She updates herself in the changing world. That is the secret of her survival.

Get married in the right muhurath