In the world of entertainment, some journeys stand out for their sheer determination and passion. Jayshree Vijayan an Indian Malaysian actress is one such inspiring story, having gone from being an air hostess to being a well-known personality in Malaysia’s film and television industries. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and following one’s dreams, demonstrating that with resilience and dedication, it is possible to turn one’s passion into a thriving career.
Jayshree’s passion for acting began at a young age. Growing up, she was captivated by the world of cinema and television often imagining herself on the screen.
“I have had a passion for acting ever since I was young and have always wanted to appear on television since I was a kid,” she recalls.
Despite her early attempts at casting, success eluded her leading her to pursue a career as an air stewardess. This detour, however was not the end of her acting aspirations but rather a chapter that enriched her with experiences and skills she would later find invaluable.
Jayshree worked as an air stewardess for six years, until the Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. With flights grounded and ample time at her disposal, Jayshree decided to revisit her acting aspirations. An opportunity soon came her way with a role in the local series “Kuruthi Mazhai”. Which premiered on Astro Vinmeen in December 2020, directed by Indiran Shanmugam.
This marked the beginning of her full-time acting career.
I have had a passion for acting ever since I was young and have always wanted to appear on television since I was a kid. So before being an air stewardess, I went out for a few castings but it didn’t work out. After a few years, I joined the cabin crew and worked there for about 6 years until Covid came. During the lockdown period, flights were not taking off so I stopped working as a cabin crew temporarily. That’s when I received an opportunity to act in a local series called “Kuruthi Mazhai” , so I decided to give it a try again. The journey started there which led me to become an actress full time.
Her decision to seize this opportunity during such a challenging time speaks volumes about her determination and passion for acting.
Transitioning from aviation to acting wasn’t without it’s challenges. However, Jayshree found that both professions shared a key similarity which is flexible working hours. This flexibility eased her transition, allowing her to manage her time effectively in her new career. Moreover, her experience as an air stewardess equipped her with invaluable skills such as patience, kindness, and understanding. Qualities that proved essential on set.
“Working as a cabin crew taught me that being patient is really important and things always don’t work the way I want them to. That skill was really helpful as an actress too because working on a set needs that kind of understanding and patience,” she reflects.
Jayshree’s ability to adapt and apply her experiences from aviation to acting underscores her versatility and resilience.
Memorable Moments and Roles
Jayshree’s acting career is filled with memorable moments. One of her most cherished experiences was watching herself on the big screen for the first time in the short film “Timemaker” in 2018.
One of the most memorable moments was when I acted in a short film titled “Timemaker”, back in 2018 which premiered in the cinemas. It was a special feeling to watch myself on the big screens for the first time and showing it to my parents and making them proud. Apart from that, in recent times when random people approach me and talk to me about how they enjoy my acting, it always makes my heart warm. There was an instance when an old grandma who was in her 70s came to me and spoke to me about how she enjoys watching my projects and shared her love with me which made me feel like I’m a part of them and that I should always work harder to keep entertaining the audience.
This moment was not just a personal milestone but also a testament to her hard work and dedication. The interactions with her audience serve as a constant reminder of why she chose this path and motivate her to continue delivering her best performances.
Her first significant television role came with the series “Kuruthi Mazhai,” where she played Shobana, a victim of a serial killer. The role was challenging but rewarding, providing her with a platform to showcase her acting skills. However, the most challenging role she has undertaken to date was in the series “Manggai Nee”.
The most challenging character that I’ve played was for a series called “Manggai Nee”, where I acted as a lawyer advocating for a divorce case. It was extremely tough and challenging as lawyers always speak lengthy dialogues during the court hearings. With the short span of time and multiple projects going on at that particular time, I was having a hard time playing the character.
This role not only tested Jayshree’s acting abilities but also highlighted her incredible work ethic and dedication. Balancing multiple projects simultaneously while delivering complex, lengthy dialogues required immense focus and resilience. Jayshree credits her success in navigating this challenging role to the support of her co-actors and the dedicated team behind the series.
“Fortunately, with the help of my fellow co-actors and the amazing team, I managed to go through it,” she says with gratitude.
Her ability to overcome such demanding circumstances is a testament to her hard work and commitment to her craft. Jayshree’s dedication to her roles and her unwavering determination to succeed, even in the face of adversity, exemplify her passion for acting and her resolve to continually push her boundaries.
Insights into the Industry
Jayshree is optimistic about the future of the Malaysian film industry. She believes that the industry has made significant strides and will continue to grow, particularly with the influx of talented youngsters and the opportunities presented by social media and OTT platforms.
I believe that the Malaysian Industry has improved a lot and it is getting better in many aspects. Especially with the amount of youngsters who are interested and are doing exceptionally well with the resources that they have, I believe that the Malaysian industry will get better and bigger in the coming times. Also , with the fact of social media and multiple platforms like OTT and Youtube available, I think that there are so many talented individuals who have high potential are out there and they would be the future !
For Jayshree, acting is more than just a profession. It’s a source of immense joy and fulfillment.
Acting has always made me happy as I’m doing what I love. It always keeps me excited as every project is different, every character is unique and I get to live as a different person in every project , adapting their characteristics and learning how it would be to be in the perspective of another person. And as I’ve mentioned before, sweet messages on social media and people approaching me regarding the characters and the work that I’ve done have always motivated me to get better.
Her motivation is fueled by the positive feedback and love she receives from her audience, which drives her to constantly improve and deliver her best. The ability to live different lives and explore various characters is what makes acting a deeply satisfying experience for her.
Filmography and Collaborations
Throughout her career, Jayshree has been involved in a variety of projects across different mediums which gained her the fanbase she deserves.
Jayshree has been on multiple short films in Tamil and English like Timemaker a English language short film which was taken 2018, it premiered at the Johor Bahru International Film Festival and The Asia Peace Film Festival in Islamabad, Pakistan. She has also featured in Neelam (Tamil). In 2021, Jayshree was in Ahamkara a short film about ego and how it empowers a person’s mind. She starred along with Surrya Prakash, Moonila and Chandhine Kaur. After that Jayshree was also in Kassey Thaan Kaaduvala Pa, directed by Saii Narayanan and Odum Neeril Orr Alai.
There were a couple of music video’s that she was in. That includes, Pambaram by Black Kalai , Black Roja by Shesha Sayanha , Pain , Ambala Ego by Arvind Raj and Santesh.
Jayshree’s versatile career spans across various mediums, showcasing her talent and adaptability as an actress. In the realm of music videos, she has captivated audiences with her performances in “Pambaram by Black Kalai”, “Black Roja by Shesha Sayanha”, “Pain” , “Ambala Ego by Arvind Raj and Santesh” and “Nenechethelam”.
With her talented acting skills Jayshree has also been in films such as Aran, Kaaval, Simple Manushan and Fanaa (Malay)
Her presence in Astro series has been equally impressive gaining her an separate fanbase with notable roles in “Kuruthi Mazhai”, a mystery series directed by local director Indiran Shanmugam. Jayshree was in it with C.Kumaresan, Dhilip Kumar and Aahmuu Thirunyaanam. In 2021, she was in “Swara Layam”, directed by S.Balachandran. Other then that, she had a huge acclaim for Zombie Kadhali, directed by Saran Z. She played the lead role along with James Devan Arokiyasamy, Chandhine Kaur and Hemaji. Apart from all of these series, she was in Malaysian Ghost Stories a Malay language series, Poorna Chandhira Kudumbathar, Iravu Vananggal, Manmadha Bullets Reloaded, Project Karma, Manggai Nee and Kaadhal Madhiri.
In all her work in these series she has consistently delivered memorable performances. Collaborating with a host of esteemed directors, Jayshree has continually pushed her boundaries and honed her craft making a significant impact in the Malaysian entertainment industry.
Handling criticism is an inevitable part of any actor’s journey, and Jayshree approaches it with a grounded and pragmatic mindset. She maintains a positive outlook, choosing to ignore negative comments and instead focusing on constructive feedback that helps her grow and improve.
“I don’t entertain any negative comments. Most of the time, I ignore them and continue working on what I love instead of being bothered by them,” she explains.
This approach allows her to maintain her focus and dedication to her craft without being deterred by criticism. She values constructive criticism as a tool for growth, appreciating feedback that helps her refine her performances and become a better actress. Jayshree’s resilience in the face of criticism underscores her professionalism and commitment to delivering quality work, regardless of external opinions. Her ability to handle critique with grace and determination is a testament to her maturity and understanding of the industry’s demands, making her an example for aspiring actors to emulate.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Jayshree is excited about the diverse roles and genres she hopes to explore. She dreams of playing a rural girl facing life’s challenges, akin to Aishwarya Rajesh’s character in “Kaakha Muttai,” and even harbors aspirations of portraying a superhero.
A character that I’ve always wanted to perform is as a rural girl who goes through different emotions and challenges in her life, overcoming the challenges and facing the world. A reference that I could think of is Aishwarya Rajesh from Kaakha Muttai.
I would also want to experience playing the character of a superhero. It’s always fascinating to watch the Marvel super heroes saving the world and so on, so why not .
When was asked about her upcoming projects, she has said with several international projects in the pipeline, including a television series set to premiere in July, Jayshree’s career is poised for new heights.
“The official announcement will be made by the production house soon. I would love to share the news officially then,” she hints.
As we conclude this insightful journey into Jayshree’s life and career, it’s clear that her story is one of resilience, passion and unwavering determination. From her beginnings as an air stewardess to becoming a beloved actress, Jayshree has shown that with hard work and dedication, dreams can indeed become a reality. Her ability to overcome challenges, her commitment to her craft and her genuine connection with her audience make her a true inspiration.
Jayshree is deeply grateful to her fans for their unwavering support. Her advice to aspiring actors is simple yet profound,
I would love to express my heartfelt gratitude towards each and every one of them who have supported me in this journey of acting. The only advice that I would love to share to the youngsters is to keep working on what you love. Someday, somehow , you will achieve what you want to. Don’t give up during the hard times. Be patient and wait for the right time.
To Jayshree, we say: Keep shining brightly, for your journey is just beginning. Your talent and perseverance continue to inspire many and your story serves as a beacon of hope for those who dare to dream. May you keep entertaining and touching hearts with your incredible performances. Here’s to many more milestones and unforgettable moments in your illustrious career!
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