Namtan-Film connects “Pluto Series: Tales, Stars, Love” to create inspiration and create positive social impact
Introduction
Translation of Namtan and Film's Interview Article from SD Perspectives.com
We would like to extend our gratitude to the SD Perspectives team for granting permission to translate and publish this interview article. Please note that the copyright for this interview article and its accompanying photos belongs to the SD Perspectives team.
January 27, 2025… “Pluto Series: Tales, Stars, Love” is more than entertainment. It presents social issues and creates real changes, creating positive impacts. Leading actors from GMMTV Namtan-Film join in creating positive inspiration from the series to the ideas that will be passed on to society in the future.
Namtan-Tipnaree Weerawatnodom and Film-Ratchanan Mahawan, two actresses and lead actors of the series “Pluto: Tales, Stars, Love”, have exchanged views on creating positive impacts with the editorial team of www.SDPerspectives.com, a sustainable media outlet.
The existence of Universal Design, the first feeling when reading the script
“When I read the Pluto script and came across the Universal Design issue, the first word that came to mind was ‘cool’,” Film began with his impression. “Being an actor and portraying a story addressing social issues like this feels unique. We realized it wasn’t just about love, greed, anger, and delusion, but also about creating something impactful for society.”
Film also mentioned that without this role, she might not have learned about the concept of Universal Design. “It’s something people should know about and understand to bring change to society.”
“The focus on Universal Design and the lives of disabled people makes Pluto uniquely charming and distinct from other stories.” Namtan added. “It lets us discover a world we’ve never experienced before. When I first read the script, I wondered what Universal Design was.”
Namtan shared her experience learning from a workshop with P’Toffee, a visually impaired person, which was a turning point that made both of them understand that the lives of disabled people are like ordinary people, but face greater challenges when the environment is not conducive.
“When we were filming EP 2, we saw obstacles on the Braille Blocks or signs that protruded and could cause accidents to disabled people. It made us realize that if we didn’t do this, we would never understand his life.”
The two lead actors concluded that the Pluto series is not only entertainment, but also an important opportunity to help raise awareness about Universal Design and the lives of people with disabilities.
“Thank you, Pluto, for allowing us to share this story so that others can understand and work together to change society.”
From series to change, raising the standard of location signs
“Once the series was released, it really had a positive impact, and much faster than we thought,” Film said excitedly.
“We have to thank the audience because without the audience or the interest, the series would not have been able to create such a change. Even though we already know what we are telling and how we want to change society through the performing arts, the audience is the big ripple that makes society understand and see the problems,” Namtan added.
The two lead actors also thanked the agencies that came forward to address and correct the errors related to the signage standards.
The most important thing is focusing on the present and future—how do we move forward?" Namtan said. “The mistakes of the past can happen to everyone, including ourselves in the past. We must have made mistakes, but the most important thing is the present. But what is important is how society will help fix things to make everything better, to create a more livable environment.”
This series goes beyond entertainment—it’s a powerful example of how art can drive societal change, proving that collective action can make a real difference.
The role of entertainment series as a bridge for the new generation's ideas for the future
Changing Society Through Performing Arts “For me, art is to make people more alive. It evokes emotions like love, anger, or even hate.” Namtan began by explaining the importance of art in human life. “Art has both advantages and disadvantages. It depends on how we consume it. But for me, art can heal everyone in this world.”
Film agrees with Namtan’s idea and adds, “Art is something Film deeply loves. Now the question that Film poses is, ‘How can we pass on this passion to benefit society?’ As actors, we have seen that Pluto can really help drive society. It’s like finding a way for us to pass on good things to others.”
Meanwhile, the sustainability executive of Bangkok praised the use of the Pluto series, a story, a star, a love story, as a medium to reach out and create change in society. “Entertainment series can help people understand and reach people’s hearts more, especially the new generation that is important in the future.”
“In the Thai entertainment industry, we work hard to communicate and deliver our message to our audiences, and now more and more organizations are starting to support the entertainment industry,” Namtan added .
She continued, “The most important thing is for all the viewers who watch us. The art of Thai entertainment is starting to be more aware of its importance. It’s not just entertainment—it’s a way to convey messages across generations.”
Namtan believes that as an actress, using art to communicate stories can help viewers see the pros and cons and learn from the stories that are presented. “It’s like a strategy to use drama to communicate with the audience so that everyone can learn and understand more.”
The film expresses feelings from Namtan, “I am glad that the career we have will make the word entertainment more than just entertainment. It means that the recipient will get more than before, more than the fun that we had in the past.”
Actors and their positive impact : Perspectives and challenges from Namtan Films
Namtan Film talked about her feelings after seeing feedback from fans:
“We were very happy to read the comments from fans who said that they had never been open to Thai dramas before. But coming back to watch the Pluto series made life more meaningful. It’s truly inspiring for us and for many who follow the series or the entertainment industry.”
When asked about the challenges the actress faces “as a member of society” who is supported by both Thai and international viewers and fans, Namtan said:
“As actors, our job is to develop and focus on improving our performances. But being a part of society gives us the opportunity to pass on good things through the performing arts that we specialize in.”
Namtan also revealed her future dreams: “Apart from being an actress, Namtan wants to be an acting teacher because this is what Namtan loves and has been with. And if she works for another 30 years, Namtan thinks that performing arts will still be a part of our lives. Namtan wants to help society by targeting young people who are about to grow into adults so that they have the knowledge to be aware of their own emotions and can understand others, and have empathy for their fellow human beings.”
“What Namtan has gained from being an actress is that not only is she able to express emotions from her characters, but art also heals her.”
Namtan mentioned performing arts as a tool that can help heal the mind, and she hopes that one day if she has the opportunity, she will be a performing arts teacher to Gen Alpha and Gen Beta. From her master’s degree, Namtan learned that “teachers have to be the ones who have to change”, knowing the youth, to help the youth know themselves and understand others.
“As for using art to help heal, Namtan needs to study more about art therapy. If she has the chance, Namtan would like to work with performing arts in the form of workshops or creative dramas, in communities or in organizations where art can help heal people.”
Film added, “For Film, even though I feel like a small human being, I think we can share good things in the way we can. Film once considered becoming an art teacher, as drawing can foster concentration and mental healing.”
Both Namtan and Film agreed that in the future they might be able to work together on things they both love and are experts in. “It’s possible,” Namtan and Film said with mutual intention.
"But first, Film wants to be P'Namtan’s student!"
Pluto Tales, Stars, Love, Just a Trend or Mindset, a Change in Thinking
For Film, Pluto shouldn’t just be a passing fad. “I want it to set a standard,” she said. What the series does is open up new perspectives for society, especially in the area of Universal Design, which she hopes will become something everyone should truly care about and understand.
Namtan added , “I believe that Pluto will be one of the stories that everyone will watch and realize more that working through this media must be done in detail and with higher quality because today’s audiences are smart in consuming media and analyzing things in detail. Therefore, working with quality and paying attention to details will make Pluto an example.”
“If you ask Pluto, will it just be a trend that comes and goes? Every trend that happens in this world may or may not last long, but what remains forever is the value of Pluto.”
Namtan cites Harry Potter as an example, although the trend has passed, its value remains because it was able to create an impact and inspire at that time.
“Pluto will be like that. We have created shared value through Pluto at a certain point in time. It doesn’t have to be forever, but just the current trends and trends, Pluto can work and change society at a certain point in time.”
For Namtan, the fact that Pluto can create a change in society is enough. Even if the trend passes, if it can make a small contribution and truly change the lives of disabled people, it is a significant and sustainable change in itself.
Gender equality in the eyes of actors, linking the role in the series to SDGs5
The film begins by talking about her own perspective on the role she took on in the Pluto series:
“Since the beginning of Pluto until today, I still think the same that it should be normal in society. Yet, many groups may still struggle to understand this. It’s good to play a role in the series Girl Rules: The main rule… Don’t love her because it is another driving force that helps people understand love more.”
Film believes that love that is genderless or any form should be truly accepted and understood by society.
“For me, Namtan, who has been involved with friends and people in the LGBTQIA+ community for quite some time, I see everything as normal. And when I had the opportunity to take on a role in the series Pluto, which has a major issue of Universal Design or the lives of disabled people, including the love between princesses, it made me see that love in all forms should be accepted. And in Girl Rule: The Main Rule… Don’t Love Her, it will be a role that brings up the issue of love in the form of women loving women again.”
Namtan believes that we are moving in a good direction to create equality in society, especially in the matter of marriage equality. It is very pleasing that all humans will receive equal rights in all aspects of life. This matter is more important than loving someone, but living equally in society.
“It’s a good thing that our country is starting to open up about this issue. And as we have another series called Girl Rules: Don’t Love Her, we hope to contribute something meaningful to society. As Film mentioned, many people may still be unaccustomed to seeing women love women. But we don’t want anyone to be ‘used to it’. We want everyone to ‘understand’ the love of fellow human beings. This is the most important thing we want to convey.”
Because in the end, love is not just a one-sided perspective, but a right that everyone should receive equally. This is what both Namtan and Film believe in and hope to communicate, in part, through the roles of both actors in series and various shows.
Marriage Equality Law: A Heartfelt Message from Pluto Lead Actor
“It’s a great pleasure,” Film said, adding, “Nothing will limit the definition of a human being. We all deserve to be accepted and treated equally in all aspects of life. I agree with what Phi Namtan said.”
Namtan continued, “ There are many rules in this world, but the most important rule is the ‘value of being human’, which should not have any limitations that separate what kind of love it must be,” Namtan continued with confidence.
“The world has changed; love is always beautiful and artistic, without right or wrong. It transcends gender and embraces diversity.”
“The world has many colors that make life full of meaning. The passage of the marriage equality law acknowledges and celebrates this diversity. It will help drive the Thai economy and our society in a better direction. As for me, I am very happy to see this change in society.”
“It’s really a joyful thing,” Namtan said with a smile, while congratulating everyone who is getting married. “Our friends, our seniors, and even our juniors, are going to have this opportunity. It makes us feel very happy and warm.”
Conclusion
Arriving at this line, the Pluto series, Tales, Stars, Love, is not just an entertainment story, but also reflects profound social issues, ranging from the love of family, friends, gender equality, upgrading Universal Design, to the drive from actors like Namtan and Film, who use their roles to create positive impacts, reflecting the concept of boundless love and understanding. Storytelling through the stars in the Pluto series, Tales, Stars, Love, has become a bridge connecting the minds of the new generation to a future open to ideological and social changes, especially the support for SDGs and the issue of equal marriage that reflects the heart of justice and unity in a world where everyone should have equal rights…It's a movement!