As Malaysia celebrates its diversity and unity on Malaysia Day, it is also a time to recognise the homegrown talents who continue to contribute to the country’s creative industry.
One such rising talent is Veronica Thomas, who recently made her debut in the Malaysian Tamil film industry with Povellam Kettupaar (PKP), directed by Karthik Shamalan.
The film features established Malaysian talents including Datin Sri Shaila V, Vikadakavi Magen, Yuvaraj Krishnasamy and more. Despite being her first film, Veronica has caught the attention of audiences with her performance as Nathiya, a challenging character that required her to explore a darker and more disturbing side of acting.
A Childhood Love for the Arts
Veronica’s connection with the arts began at a young age, with her mother encouraging her to participate in various activities including storytelling, poetry recitals, choral speaking, debates and dancing.
“When I was young, my mom always encouraged me to join all these storytelling, poetry recitals, choral speaking, debate, dancing and more. So since I was eight years old, I enjoyed the process of bringing the arts alive and sharing it with the audience,” said Veronica.
Her passion eventually led her to take a courageous step when she came across an audition poster titled ‘Looking for Her’, posted by director Karthik Shamalan. Although it was a new experience for her, Veronica decided to give the casting call a try, and eventually landed the role.
Preparing for Nathiya
Stepping into the industry for the first time, Veronica gave her best with the support of the film’s cast and crew.
She received the script two weeks before filming and also attended several hours of acting coaching with actor Logavarman, who helped her understand Nathiya’s backstory and mental state.
“Two weeks before the shooting I was given the script, and I was given a few hours of acting coach class by actor Logavarman, where I was explained the backstory of the character Nathiya and how her mental state would be for the movie,” she said.
To prepare herself further, Veronica developed her own technique. In the two weeks leading up to filming, she constantly listened to eerie music to help build Nathiya’s composed yet disturbing personality. The preparation eventually helped her bring the character to life and deliver a performance that left an impression on audiences.
More Than Just Acting
For Veronica, her love for the arts goes beyond acting. As she continues exploring the entertainment industry, she remains open to opportunities that allow her to showcase her versatility.
“I’m always someone who is curious about everything. For now, I would want to explore hosting a documentary or cooking series,” she said.
Her curiosity reflects her willingness to explore different sides of the creative industry rather than limiting herself to just one path.
Growing With Malaysian Tamil Cinema
Despite being at the beginning of her journey, Veronica understands that there is still much for her to learn.
Having entered the industry without any major expectations, she sees her debut as an exciting first step and remains open to whatever opportunities may come her way.
“I just hope I can grow together with our Malaysian Tamil industry and achieve greater things in future,” said Veronica. Veronica’s debut in Povellam Kettupaar is a reminder that sometimes, taking a simple chance can open the door to an entirely new journey.
From a childhood filled with a love for the arts to stepping onto a film set for the first time, Veronica has shown that dedication, courage and curiosity can take us further than we imagine.
As she begins this new chapter, her journey is one worth watching, not only for what she has achieved with her debut, but for what she may bring to Malaysian Tamil cinema in the years ahead.
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