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The most awaited Tamil film this Christmas

One of the most eagerly awaited Tamil films this Christmas is Nanayam, an action thriller produced by S P B Charan and starring Prasanna, Sibi Raj and S P Balasubramaniam.

Prasanna, an engineer-turned-actor, was last seen and much appreciated as a software professional based in the US in Arun Vaidyanathan's Achamundu Achamundu.

In this interview, Prasanna talks to Shobha Warrier about Nanayam.

How different is Nanayam going to be from Achamundu Achamundu?

Achamundu followed a different style of filmmaking, which was not seen in Tamil before. Nanayam is different but it has its own commercial elements like songs and fights. There is no comedy track but the dialogues will make the audience laugh.

'I took it up because it was a stylish film, not because it had a rural story'

Last time when we spoke, you said you wanted to do commercial films as only commercial success matters in an actor's career. Is that why you accepted Nanayam?

That was not the only reason. I wanted to do a character in a village. It just happened. It was not a conscious decision.

When Shakti came to me with this script, I thought I should take it up because it was a stylish film, not because it had a rural story. Shakti explained how he was going to make the film. He told me that the film has the capacity to capture the imagination of the masses too.

When Sibi came in as an anti-hero, it became an interesting film. Sibi has mass appeal and that will help the film.

How would you describe the film?

It is an action thriller. The film is about a bank robbery and you need to guess who the robber is.

'Naseeruddin Shah was supposed to play the villain'

Tell us about your role in the film.

I play Ravi, an electronic engineer. His father works as a manager in a golf club in Kodaikanal. He struggles to bring up his child, and Ravi realises how hard he works, how he is exploited by his employers. Ravi wants to become a member of that club but he has to be either rich or important in society. I don't want to divulge more.

How did Sibi Raj come into the picture?

Naseer Sir (Naseeruddin Shah) was supposed to play the villain. Shakti and I thought we could give a new dimension to the film if we roped in a young hero as the villain. I thought Sibi might do it since he's a friend. I forwarded the script to him; he liked it and agreed. He knew he had scope to perform as an actor.

Being good friends, we gelled well on the sets. We know what the other wants. We were not bothered about who had how many lines.

'I don't know why we don't have multi-starrers in Tamil'

Do you have any memories on the sets that you can share with us?

It was great fun with Sibi on the sets. Usually, I sit with a book but with Sibi around, we had fun. Before the shoot would start, we would hit the gym. After the shoot of Nanayam, we started missing the fun.

While shooting the climax, there was a shot where I was supposed to hit Sibi with a steel chair. We were supposed to do it with a dummy chair but Sibi decided otherwise. I hit him hard accidentally but he acted as if nothing happened.

The next day, when he came on the sets, he had a bruise on his knee. Had it been anyone else, I am sure I was in for some trouble.

I don't know why we don't have multi-starrers in Tamil.

The only one film we can think of in recent times is Unnaipol Oruvan...

It was great to see two legendary actors (Kamal Haasan and Mohanlal) in one film though they share only one scene.

'I will keep my weaknesses a secret'

You did Anjathey with Naren. Are you not insecure?

No. I know what role I was doing. I know my strengths and weakness.

I am not worried about my co-star when the camera starts rolling. Even if it is a silent shot, I know I can do something to get the attention of the audience and leave my presence.

What are your weakness?

I shouldn't tell that (laughs). I will keep it as a secret.

S P B Charan is the producer of the film. How was it working with him?

He is a wonderful producer. He is more like a friend than a producer. He knows how to promote and market his films. Charan is the biggest advantage of the film.

Shakti initially asked Charan to act in the film but when he read the script, he got so excited that he decided to produce it instead. And, he said, instead of him, it is better we have SPB Sir in the role. We went to SPB Sir and he graciously agreed to act in the film.

'Nanayam will be a technically brilliant film, like Billa'

Do you have any scenes with SPB?

We had four or five scenes together. I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with him. It is not possible to get to spend so much time with a legend like SPB sir. I spent about five-six hours talking to him. We talked about a lot of things -- politics, spirituality and girls too! It was a great experience, I must say.

What are your expectations from Nanayam?

Thanks to stylist, Vasuki Bhaskar, Sibi and I look different and stylish in the film. It will be a technically brilliant film, like Billa. It will be a very stylish film.