Sex Worker-Turned-Author Nalini Jameela Adds Another Feather To Cap, Wins Kerala Film Awards For Costume Design

Nalini Jameela recently bagged the special jury mention as costume-designer for the movie "Bharathapuzha" in Kerala State Film Awards.

Nalini Jameela (File photo)

Chennai: A 69-year-old sex worker-turned-author Nalini Jameela has achieved a path-breaking fete by winning the Kerala State Film Awards for costume design. Nalini Jameela hogged the spotlight around 15 years back with her unconventional autobiography called "Autobiography of a Sex Worker" that shocked society and the people upholding patriarchy and being adjudged with this award is another big achievement.

According to a report on PTI, Jameela recently bagged the special jury mention as costume-designer for the movie "Bharathapuzha" in Kerala State Film Awards. It was also her debut movie as a costume designer. 

Talking to PTI, Jameela said that the award is another unexpected twist in her life and that she never expected the award. 

Jameela said, film Bharathapuzha is the story of a sex worker Sugandhi from Thrissur in Kerala and she recalled her past to select what was best for the character. She said that she did not use costly sarees or ornaments nor liked to wear a bindi and so she applied the same nuances to the character Sugandhi's costumes. However, she said that while helping actress Siji Pradeep to play the role with mannerisms and body language as a sex worker she was forced to recall her traumatising past but the director gave her the space to explore her ideas. 

Jameela was forced into prostitution when she was very young as her husband died due to cancer. She worked in brick kilns and as a domestic help but the money received through the jobs were not sufficient to raise her two daughters.