Pavithram actress Surabhi Santosh: I was told doing serials would diminish my value, but the recognition I’m receiving now is invaluable

Surabhi Santosh, the actress from Pavithram, may be a newcomer to Malayalam TV, but she is certainly not an unfamiliar face to the Malayali audience. With a list of Malayalam films like Kuttanadan Marpappa and Kinavalli already to her name, we couldn't help but wonder: why TV? That’s exactly what we asked her in our exclusive interview, marking her debut in the world of Malayalam television.
Surabhi, a lawyer by profession, began her acting career with the Kannada film Dushtaa, followed by the Tamil movie Aayirathil Iruvar. However, it was in 2018 that the Trivandrum native ventured into Malayalam cinema with the Kunchacko Boban starrer Kuttanadan Marpappa. While her career was progressing steadily, Surabhi decided to take a break from the industry to pursue her law education and started practicing as an associate lawyer.
"Well, Corona played a speed breaker in my career, just like it did in many lives. The pandemic hit when my career was beginning to take off smoothly, and everything became uncertain. That's when my parents suggested I get back to my studies and I decided to explore my next passion, law. I enrolled in a full-time law course and started practicing. Although I managed to do a couple of movies, juggling both careers was quite challenging since they’re both demanding. That’s when I got married and moved to Mumbai, which made me feel further distanced from acting. So, when the opportunity came, I seized it," she shared.

Surabhi admits that she had second thoughts about pursuing a serial opportunity, especially when many advised her against it.
"I was also given the same advice: if you start doing serials, you’ll lose your value. People told me I wouldn’t get any movie offers, and some even said it would seem like I was doing TV because I wasn’t getting film roles. Honestly, it did make me feel a bit uncertain. But then, it was a question from my husband that changed my perspective. He asked, 'Whether it's TV or movies, you’re still acting, right? No matter the medium, you're following your passion.' And that’s true. So here I am, acting. Plus, Vedha is such a complex character that every artist would love to play. Even if it’s just 30 episodes, I’ve explored emotions here that I haven’t even had the chance to experience in my films," she shared.
The actress emphasizes that it's high time such stereotypes are put to rest.
"I know many people who are waiting for a movie opportunity, despite facing significant financial burdens and struggles. But they’re unwilling to step into TV just because of this stereotype. At the end of the day, it's all acting, and TV provides a steady income too. Moreover, for aspiring talents like me, TV offers much more. It's a fact that actresses don’t get as much prominence in movies compared to actors. Even though there are female-centric films, they usually go to well-known names, and it definitely takes a lot for newcomers to reach that level. On the other hand, TV is filled with opportunities for talent, especially for women. Even Bollywood biggies are entering OTT platforms, and the boundaries between media platforms are blurring. I hope people move past this mindset and explore the opportunities available," she added.

Well, it’s not just the opportunities, Surabhi shares that the recognition she has received has also grown exponentially.
"Without a doubt, I can say that I haven’t received the recognition I got from just a few episodes of Pavithram throughout my entire movie career. It’s not just recognition; I’ve had the chance to perform so much in this brief time, which I never got to experience in films. The actor in me is delighted with the decision I made," she emphasized.
When asked about her character and the show, Surabhi shared her excitement over the coincidence that she is playing an on-screen lawyer as well.
"Yeah, that was completely unexpected. I get so excited whenever Vedha discusses the law on screen. But I make sure not to make any mistakes. I double-check to ensure that I’m quoting the correct section and legal point," the actress shared.
Within just a couple of weeks of its telecast, Pavithram has managed to secure a spot in the top 5 of the rating charts, with viewers also praising the high-quality production of the serial.

"I am so happy. Since I made a not-so-easy choice, I wanted to ensure that my work stands out. The recent ratings and the responses I’m receiving on social media have been overwhelming. I even got a funny comment saying they could see a heroine going to bed without makeup! I think everything is changing; there aren't many teary-eyed, heavily made-up female roles in Malayalam serials anymore. We’re moving towards more realistic storylines, and I’m happy that people are embracing that," she concluded.