Shruthy Menon Embraces Bold Role in Adult Comedy 'Spa', Praises Malayalam Industry
Shruthy Menon took on one of the lead roles in Abdrid Shine's film Spa, an adult comedy centered around a massage parlour operated by women and visited by men seeking to fulfil their sexual fantasies and desires. The Mumbai-based actress recently opened up about her initial hesitations in accepting the part and her unwavering admiration for the Malayalam film industry's storytelling prowess.
Navigating Initial Apprehensions and Character Depth
Reflecting on her portrayal of Zara, a character involved in some bold scenes, Shruthy revealed, "When I received the role of Zara, the primary challenge was to perceive her purely as a character and detach from personal biases." She admitted to feeling very apprehensive when director Shine chetan first approached her with the concept. However, she believes the evolving audience mindset, influenced by exposure to diverse genres and global cinema, played a crucial role. "Audiences today understand there's a world beyond our immediate cocoon, which helped in the acceptance of such narratives," she explained.
A Light-Hearted Set and Collaborative Spirit
The filming environment for Spa was notably light-hearted, which Shruthy credits for easing the process. She shared that sharing bold scenes with co-stars like Radhika Radhakrishnan and Sreeja Das fostered a strong camaraderie. "We got along like a house on fire, and the technicians' laughter on set provided immediate feedback, akin to a live audience," she said. This collaborative atmosphere allowed them to maintain a comedic tone, making the experience more enjoyable and less daunting.
Empowering Reception and Shifting Perspectives
Shruthy expressed satisfaction that her role did not attract any negative comments upon the film's release. "Perhaps initially, some viewers felt uncomfortable as the film exposes men's sexual thoughts, but we received no backlash, which I found empowering as a woman," she noted. She hopes Spa encourages audiences to view adult themes from a broader perspective, not solely focused on women's sexuality. "Director Shine chetan has a talent for the unexpected, and I hope people recognize that adult content can be empowering and hilarious without objectifying women's bodies," she added, envisioning this as a potential start for new narrative approaches.
Malayalam Cinema's Superior Storytelling and Future Projects
Shruthy is currently involved in a Bollywood project and has two Malayalam films lined up: Salim Ahmed's upcoming movie and M Padmakumar's Dharmadom PS. Despite her busy schedule, which saw her rushing between sets in 2025 after a relatively free 2024, she thrives on the chaos. Her preference leans strongly towards Malayalam cinema. "I'm selective about my roles, and Malayalam cinema has always excelled in storytelling, with brilliant writers crafting amazing women characters even decades ago," she stated. If given a choice between a Malayalam film and a commercial Bollywood project, she would likely choose the former, citing the unique satisfaction it brings.
In summary, Shruthy Menon's experience with Spa highlights her courage in tackling unconventional roles and her deep respect for the Malayalam film industry's narrative richness and character depth.
