Malayalam film Villain, directed by B. Unnikrishnan, triggered interest not just with its title and Mohanlal in the lead but also for its cast that included stars from neighbouring southern states.
What was it like working in a new industry and sharing screen with the legend Lal ettan, as he is fondly known in Malayalam cinema?
Gulf News tabloid! caught up with Vishal, Hansika Motwani and Raashi Khanna, who play significant roles in this investigative thriller.
Hansika Motwani
It’s the first Malayalam film for Motwani, who has worked in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Motwani realised her dream with Villain. Her character Shreya is unlike the bubbly characters she has played in her earlier films.
“Shreya is a medical student and the turning point in the story,” said Motwani.
Motwani was drawn into director Unnikrishnan’s narration that promised an edge-of-the-seat thriller. The excitement of working with Mohanlal was another.
She was nervous meeting Mohanlal on the first day but the star put her at ease.
“By the third day the ice was broken and we were talking about our art collection,” smiled Motwani.
“After every shot he gave me a high-five. Watching him perform was an amazing experience. Lal sir treats everyone equally and that’s what I loved,” she added.
Motwani is paired opposite Vishal, with whom she has acted earlier in Tamil.
Vishal
Tamil actor Vishal liked the strong content of Villain.
Vishal plays Dr Shaktivel Palaniswamy and something goes wrong in his life. Villain is a war between Palaniswamy and retired Additional Director General of Police Mathews, played by Mohanlal.
Vishal’s challenges lay in getting the pronunciation of his Malayalam lines right, yet if given another film with Unnikrishnan, he is game for it.
Finding Mohanlal a chilled out person, Vishal was in admiration of the senior actor’s magnanimity in giving equal space to another artists.
“Villain is packaged brilliantly and every character is occupies a prominent place in the story,” added Vishal.
Raashi Khanna
This is not the first time she is playing a police officer.
What makes Khanna’s character Harshita Chopra special is that it’s her Malayalam debut. Harshita Chopra is Mathew’s subordinate.
“Mathews is her mentor and she is always eager to learn from him,” said Khanna.
Khanna was initially nervous about working with Mohanlal. When Mohanlal greeted her with “welcome to our family” on their first meeting, she was touched by his humility and soon felt at home.
Watching him perform were lessons often leaving her stunned at the ease with which Mohanlal could switch off from his expressions once the director said ‘cut’.
“His eyes convey so much and after the shot is done, he becomes his jolly self,” shared Khanna. “I learnt to keep my acting subtle.”
Mohanlal’s enthusiasm for work, his energetic self and his passion for cinema left her astonished.
What surprised her more was meeting Mohanlal at the gym early morning even after a late night of shooting.
Villain releases in UAE on November 2.
