For Tovino Thomas, the sky is the limit

If you were to examine Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas' filmography in the past one year alone, his career graph reveals a steady, upward trajectory. With almost every weekend in the cinemas showcasing a Tovino-starrer, one could well claim he is one of the busiest actors in Malayalam cinema today.
What's more? He's not uptight about the characters he wishes to portray. "I don't believe I have to play a lot of lead characters to be established in the industry," Tovino tells City Times. As a hero or an anti-hero or a sidekick or a bad guy, the range of contrasting roles he has essayed over the years lends credibility to his versatility as an actor. Moreover, with his upcoming movie, Kilometers and Kilometers, Tovino has forayed into production as well.
City Times caught up with the heartthrob from Irinjalakuda for a chat on Uyare, his future aspirations, and his take on why women-centric movies are important in Malayalam cinema.
Tell us about your character in Uyare.
I am playing a character called Vishal. He is an airline company vice president's son. He tries very hard to come out of his father's shadow, as he is considered someone who is not as good as his father, especially in terms of business. He runs a Zumba dance school, he is interested in cars, but nothing really takes off. So, he's something like a loser son of a successful father. After this tragedy happens to Pallavi (Parvathy), he tries to be the most positive influence on her.
How did you prepare for the role?
I put a lot of work in every movie I do, even the very low- profile ones. In Maradona, I was a local thug, in Theevandi I was a jobless chain smoker, in Lucifer - I played a politician. I belong to a middle-class family, and I put efforts into portraying high-profile or low-profile characters.
In this case, Vishal needed to look very polished, refined and classy. The way he speak, walks, dresses, and grooms himself, in all these aspects, he had to be elegant. However, we had a lot of instruction and guidance from the director and writer.
So, is it a female-centric movie?
No, it's a good movie, that's what I felt while watching it. The movie has strong characters, and I don't think we should use the tag-line as 'female-centric movie'. That should not be a statement or a description out of the normal. It's a movie where the central protagonist is a woman (Parvathy), and Asif and I have done supporting roles.
Did you have any experience working with acid attack victims?
While I was shooting Ente Ummente Peru, we shot at Sheroes, a café and reach-out centre for and by acid attack victims. I learnt a lot from that experience. In the movie I didn't have anything to do with her (Parvathy) being an acid attack survivor. He is not bothered by her minuses, he wants to be a good influence on her.
Do you think the movie has been made to shock audiences? Or sort of make them think?
It's a beautifully made movie. Certain realities are portrayed without amounting to any shock, or the use of shocking thought- provoking visuals. It is not too disturbing. The movie delivers content in a pleasing manner. People who have watched the movie should be educated about the seriousness and the context of the movie, however, it is also very relevant to current times.
Given that you've acted in very eclectic movies so far, what do you look for in scripts now?
I don't believe I have to play a lot of lead characters to be established in the industry. I want to be part of good films. I don't mind playing secondary characters in a good movie, because that too is an enriching experience.
Any movies in Tamil after Maari2 or in any other languages?
I want to be rooted in Malayalam, but I also want to gain experience from other language movies. I am a bit occupied with Malayalam movies for a while, with Virus, another multi-starrer releasing on June 7 in Kerala, and June 16 in Dubai.
When is the last time you took a break?
It's been three years since I took a proper break (laughs). But before I got busy, I spent years sitting at home, without any work. I don't want to go back to that and this is what I've always dreamt of.
What's next for you?
Kalki is something I haven't done before. It's a mass entertainer love story and thriller. But I am really excited about my upcoming movie Kilometers and Kilometers, a travel movie where I and my co-star (a foreigner) travel from Kottayam, Kerala to Khardung La, Ladakh where I am a bullet taxi driver. I take her for a tour all around India. It's one of the best scripts I've ever heard, and I am co-producing it as well. We just completed shooting, and it's in post-production.
 
 
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
 
 
 
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

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