You were visibly moved with joy following the initial screening of ‘Thalavan’ that you attended…
To be honest, luck hasn’t always been on my side in my choices as an actor. Only a few have seen commercial success when I’ve taken the lead. Some good films that failed to attract audiences are discussed later, and I admit I’ve also been involved in many bad films. Despite this, people have continued to support my pursuit of good films. Witnessing the warm reception ‘Thalavan’ is receiving has been immensely fulfilling for me. On that day, I became emotional upon realising that, after a long while, I had fulfilled my responsibility to provide the audience with content worthy of their time, something I should have done much earlier. Also, in my 15-year-long career as an actor, Thalavan was the first film my parents came to watch on its opening day in theatres with me. I’m glad it happened with this film. Seeing their proud faces and joyful expressions while I received appreciation was truly an unforgettable moment, as I hadn’t been able to bring them that happiness during my school years or afterwards.
There were talks about you being the first choice for films like ‘Bramayugam’ and ‘Manjummel Boys’. Do you harbour any regrets about not being a part of them, considering how they went on to become huge successes?
About ‘Bramayugam’, certainly, I was deeply disappointed to have missed out on such a huge opportunity opposite Mammookka due to scheduling conflicts, although I am happy that it ultimately went to Arjun (Ashokan). As for ‘Manjummel Boys’, despite some initial considerations, I was never regarded as an option once the characters were fully developed.
Do you look back at what went wrong in your failed films?
Yes, for many films, you begin to grasp the issues during the shooting stage itself, and efforts are made to rectify them along the way. Sometimes these efforts prove successful, and sometimes they do not. In cases where films ultimately fail despite all efforts, I attempt to analyse where things went wrong, even if a full understanding remains elusive.
As a viewer, do you get time to watch films regularly nowadays?
I make it a point to watch at least one film every day before going to bed at night, even if I don’t have time to see it in theatres. Cinema is something that never bores me, and I consume everything that comes my way, regardless of the language.
Do you get inspired by the type of content that is popular these days?
My son, Adam, aged 10, has recently developed a keen interest in films. I make an effort to understand what appeals to him and children his age. Typically, they enjoy loud, exciting, and cheerful films, and I am now more eager to do such movies.
