Interview Actor Vishnu Agastya: I don’t consider this profession any kind of mystery

It has been a slow and steady rise for Vishnu Agastya in Malayalam cinema. The starting point was a mini web series, at a time when the format was not yet popular. what happened to cinema AlorukkamAfter 1001 nunakal (2022). 2023 sees him move up the ladder – playing the greedy, scheming Stanley o.baby And the face of terror, Paulson, in RDX,

He is currently fresh from the success of his Christmas release, rifle clubIn which his character Godzo went to rock the scene with swag along with a group of brilliant actors. He was also very happy with the reception for his role in Krishand waging conflict – art of warWhich premiered at the International Film Festival of Kerala.

As someone who claims to be an astute observer of cinema, it’s hard to believe that he never dreamed of being in this industry. After BBA, he got attracted towards the world of cinema while working as a VJ in Kiran TV. “Acting excited me,” he says, “even though my only exposure to it till then was during my school years, and that too only in brief roles in some plays to bunk classes.”

He attended workshops and took classes at ActLab. “I wanted to master the art of acting. However, it was a difficult phase with a lot of self-doubt. I had left my job. And there were a lot of insecurities, which stopped me from approaching filmmakers for a role. But I met a group of like-minded artists and creators with whom I made a few projects,” he says.

There was a mini web series, Anatomy of CamucanIn which he played the roles of different types of male lovers. Fortunately, the series was presented by Gautham Menon’s Ondraga Productions. *Le Cliché VellamadiAttention was also paid to the drinking habits of men.

big break was web series sleepless nights Presented by Karikku Flick, Audiences loved his role as the crazy, mentally unstable Dr. Surjeet. It opened the doors of Malayalam cinema. According to Vishnu, it helped that he was familiar with different departments of film production, having worked on several web series.

He had some of the dreamiest collaborations any actor could ask for – director Ranjan Pramod (o.baby), Thamar (1001 nunakal), Nahas Hidayat (RDX), Aashiq Abu (rifle club) and Krishnananda (create conflictVishnu adds, “When you connect with these brilliant minds, you embrace their art and storytelling style. It is interesting.”

Vishnu Agastya Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

He is also very critical towards his work. “I can’t assess my performance in the first or second week of release. In some cases this may take weeks or months. By then I will feel a kind of strangeness in the work and so I can analyze what I have done!”

rifle club Was no different. While audiences loved the practical, no-nonsense Godzo, his look and style, Vishnu admits that he was worried whether the scenes would work with audiences. “But when Rex Vijayan [composer of the movie] Said it was good, which was a huge relief as it was coming from someone who had seen the raw footage. I trust the technicians’ judgment more because they know what happens behind the scenes,” says Vishnu.

rifle clubHe adds, “It was a highly collaborative space, especially with a group of directors on set as actors [Anurag Kashyap, Dileesh Pothan, Vineeth Kumar, Senna Hegde, Raffi]It’s not easy to write a script with so many characters and then also create the “mass” factor. It is remarkable how these writers [Syam Pushkaran, Dileesh Karunakaran, Suhas] Weave such stories,” says Vishnu.

He appreciates the space given to each actor in the film. “I can ask any doubts I have to the person who wrote kumbalangi nights [Syam Pushkaran]Usually what happens with legends is that the respect we give them, they carry it like a burden and they stop updating their art. But that’s not what happened with the brains behind rifle club,” He says.

Vishnu in Agastya waging conflict – art of war
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

As far as Krishnananda is concerned, Vishnu places him in his own category. “It’s amazing to be around him. He is a talented individual with street smart skills,” he added. Responding to being credited as a creative contributor to create conflictThe actor says, “I might have given some suggestions. That is all. In Krishnananda’s language, that is a creative contribution! (laughing)

This movie is an interesting story based on the Chinese book art of war by Sun Tzu with the narrative set against a local gang war. Vishnu Kunjanandan is the leader of the gang, who is out to settle scores with the gang led by Suni (Sanoop Padwadan). The actor shines in the role by keeping it real and raw.

“I do not consider this profession to be any kind of mystery. I perform only as per the demand of the situation.

He adds, “Once you have passion and love for this art, even if you fail, you will get better as you progress. When the audience likes the work of us actors, we get that kick. This is the spirit that keeps me in this profession.”

Vishnu in Agastya waging conflict – art of war
Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

He has also played a small role in Krishnanand’s upcoming web series for SonyLIV. possible description nalara sangham (The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang), a gangster drama. “after RDXI kept getting the same template roles. When I shared it with Krishnanand, he told me about this goon in the series. The introduction to this character is so much fun and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction!”

In the meantime, he hopes to explore the field of acting by working with different filmmakers. “If I find the right team, I can write too.”

Apart from a cameo in debutant Varsha Vasudev’s film with Indrans and Madhubala, she has some interesting projects lined up.