From leading quiet retired life to suddenly finding herself gaining stardom, Biana W. Momin (BW) has covered a long journey in a relatively short period of time. The box office success of her Malayali film Eko has made Momin a household name not only in Meghalaya but also Kerala and other parts of the country, garnering praise from superstar actor Dhanush who said actor Momin deserves all the highest honours.
Despite having no knowledge of Malayali language, Momin effortlessly nails her character, proving that language cannot be a barrier for success.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Shillong, the actor spoke about her journey to fame. Excerpts:
SS: Tell us something about your transition from a teacher/educator to an actor.
BW: Well, I did not transition immediately from a teacher/educator to an actor. I retired as Principal, Tura Government College in 2014, and then got appointed as Member MPSC and retired again in 2018. Until last year I was living a quiet retired life as a pensioner, staying active only as a member of the Mothers’ Union, Tura.
Then in March 2024, on World Theatre Day, everything changed. Garo Director Jenifer Areng approached me to act in her forthcoming film Mikjumang, taking the lead role of Agame. With strong support and encouragement from my family, I took the opportunity and started a new career in films.
SS: How did you become a part of Eko?
BW: Renowned Garo Director Dominic M. Sangma learned that the producer and director of Eko were looking for someone from the North east to play the part of a Malaysian character in their film. He sent in my photo to them and it spiked their interest, so they came down to Guwahati to take my audition. They liked me and that’s how I got to go to Kerala and do the film Eko. I got the opportunity and I seized it. And what a life changing experience!
SS: Working in a Malayalam film as a non-Malayali actor, what challenges did you face with the language, accent, or culture and how did the director/crew help you?
BW: The main challenge for me was to learn the script in Malayalam. But they understood that and had prepared for this challenge. They introduced me to Anjaly Satyanath, a professor and also an established artiste and she was with me 24/7 for two months. She was my trainer, mentor, and friend, guiding me through the Malayalam script and nuances of the language. When the actual shooting began, the whole team was very professional and encouraging, so I had no problems at all. They all spoke English or Hindi, so communication was not a problem. I also quite enjoyed the Malayali cuisine.
SS: The misty, isolated estate and the dogs play a huge role in Eko. How was it filming in those remote locations, and did interacting with the dogs influence your performance?
BW: The whole movie was on location only and we had to travel maybe 30-45 minutes every day from our hotel in Vagamon town. We had to get up at 6:30 AM and returned only by 10:30 PM every day. The whole action for me took place in the house they had built for my character, Mlaathi Chedathi, on top of a mountain. It was exhilarating. The mountains were so high, it was misty and we were wet and cold most of the time. The dogs were there when they were needed but the trainers were with them all the time.
SS: Your character Mlaathi is shown as silent yet incredibly commanding—how did you prepare to convey such intense emotions through body language, facial expressions, and minimal dialogue?
BW: Since I didn’t have much acting experience, I had to dig deep into my own personal experiences to convey what the character required. In my long life, I’ve had my share of happiness, of joy, of grief and of sorrow. I just showed what I felt in those moments. They wanted organic acting and I tried to give them that.
SS: You shared the highest screen time with Sandeep Pradip who plays the character of Peeyoos. How was your experience working with a professional actor like Sandeep?
BW: Sandeep is a rising star in Malayalam cinema and an established actor. The other members of the cast were also experienced established artistes. But they never let me feel that I was a raw inexperienced artiste. Sandeep was always very professional and encouraging and we had lots of fun together. I’m proud to be a part of Team Eko.
SS: What was your overall experience working in the Malayalam film industry?
BW: I feel the Malayalam Film Industry is very professional and disciplined. This particular team was like a big happy family because they had worked together for many other films and all the different crew members—the production team, the artwork team, the IT team, the cooks, the technicians—all did their jobs efficiently, sincerely, and quietly, and it was like a well-oiled machine.
SS: What can filmmakers in Meghalaya learn from Malayali counterparts?
BW: Since I’ve only worked in one Garo short film, I’m not really qualified to comment on our state’s film production but maybe we can learn from their professionalism, dedication,and discipline. I feel our filmmakers, directors and artistes are very talented and we are uniquely placed to showcase our own stories.
SS: Has the success of Eko changed your life? In what way?
BW: It was and is an enriching, life changing experience. I’m now back to my quiet life but the success of Eko has changed my perception of life. The praise and appreciation of unknown people makes me feel humble and grateful. I’m meeting new people, learning a new skill, and simply enjoying every second. I’m grateful to Dominic, Jenifer, Dinjith, Bahul, Jobin, Dwarkesh, Anjaly, and many others for having faith in me and giving me this opportunity.
SS: What are your future plans? Any more acting assignments?
BW: If any other offers come my way, I’m willing to take it up. At the moment, I’m having talks with a writer/director/producer from Mumbai, and we’ll see where it leads. Otherwise, I’m very happy with my life.
– End of Interview –
Eko is the third film in writer-cinematographer Bahul Ramesh’s animal trilogy, the previous ones being the high-acclaimed Kishkindha Kaandam (2024) and Kerala Crime Files 2 (2025). Made on a modest budget, Eko has been declared a huge commercial success and is currently trending on Netflix.
Momin’s performance as a soft-spoken yet dominating character is proof of how talent is ingrained in Meghalaya only waiting for the right platform to showcase it.
– Interviewed by Sanjay Kar
