Meet Dubai boy Ishan Shoukath making waves in Malayalam blockbuster 'Marco'
In an exclusive chat, the rising star from the UAE opens up on making it big in films
Dubai: Malayalam star Unni Mukundan is basking in the success of his hyper-violent blockbuster Marco, which has stormed into the revered Rs1 billion club. But did you know a young talent from Dubai also played a key role in this massive hit?
Meet Ishan Shoukath, a Dubai-raised actor and alumnus of Delhi Private School, who portrayed Victor, Unni's stepbrother, in Marco.
Though his character met an untimely end early in the film, Ishan describes his feature film debut as "surreal."
“When we started out with Marco, there was a certain level of expectation, but with the Malayali audience being so critical, it’s honestly surreal to see how well it’s done,” said Ishan.
Marco, which is doing brisk business across India, is an audacious actioner with men in suits and cigars chopping limbs and hands in the name of revenge.
"Our director made a very conscious decision to stay away from culturally rooted, typical stories. Marco was ambitiously stylistic—men in suits, cigars, and driving Range Rovers. Every frame was designed to look stunning. It’s not the kind of film you usually associate with Malayalam cinema, which is why it’s working so well," said Ishan.
Up next, he will star alongside Malayalam icons Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Fahadh Faasil in his new film.
"I was ready to be a fly on the wall for that film ... Imagine sharing the screen with these legends who are such brilliant actors," said Ishan.
The rising actor stopped by the Gulf News studio to talk about his breakthrough, growing up in the UAE, his hustle, and his journey into the Malayalam film industry. Excerpts from our interview ...
Congratulations, Ishan! Marco has entered the Rs1 billion blockbuster club. It must feel amazing.
It’s honestly surreal, because when we started out, there was a certain level of expectation within the industry while we were shooting filming Marco. But usually, things don’t always match up to the level of anticipation. Remember, the Malayali viewers are very critical of how good a movie is and are honest with their views. So with that level of sky-rocketing expectation came pressure, but seeing how it is doing now, we are super happy with how things have turned out.
You play Victor, a visually impaired character. How did you get this role as an actor-hopeful from Dubai?
I did my schooling here in Delhi Private School and grew up in the UAE. But three years ago, I moved my base to Kochi. During our previous interview, we met for my short film called Deadline, which did its round in the film festivals. It was through that film and the recognition that it got, that the makers of Marco came and approached me to meet the director and the producer. They supported me wholly in my journey. It wasn’t even a screen test or an audition. It was more like we just had a conversation about life and about our experiences with movies. A casual 20-minute conversation later, they said I will be playing this character called Victor. It was quick, but in a good way.
Marco is hyper-violent, with scenes of extreme brutality. Did you wonder if Malayalam audiences would accept that level of violence?
It's trial and error. There’s no guarantee with anything in the film industry. It’s one of the riskiest businesses out there. But at the end of the day, it was our Dubai-based producer, Shareef Muhmmed, and his bravery that made this film happen. Since day one, we’ve been marketing it as the most violent movie and that has been the tagline used in every single poster. So at the end of the day, after marketing like that, if we don’t show that level of violence, it’s going to disappoint the audience. As an audience, when I watched the movie, the first show, first day in Kochi...I was also taken aback by some of the violence, but not in a negative way. I was also just taking it all in as an audience and marveling at how far we have gone with this film. Perhaps, that's why it's working.
After Marco, you are now filming a movie with legends like Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Fahadh Faasil. Tell us more.
I would have gladly been a fly on the wall in that movie, just to take it all in. When it comes to these icons, we are talking about years and years of experienced veterans who have been in this game. They are not just stars in their own rights, but brilliant artists and actors. Just being around them and taking it all in is a privilege and being on that set, getting to be in the same frame as them is a bonus.
Do you think your theater training in the US prepared you for the Malayalam film industry?
Absolutely, yes. So I did theatre for four years in the US, and it gave me all the confidence that I needed because I didn’t go to the West wanting to do theatre. I went there as a finance student who ended up doing finance and theatre. In the US theatre classrooms, everyone has grown up singing, dancing, and acting since a young age. You will feel like you are the least talented person in that room. But I always feel like when you work with people better than you, you only get better. By my fourth year, I felt as confident as the rest of them. I felt as talented, I felt as deserving as the rest of them
Social media hate is rampant in today’s world. How do you handle that as an actor?
I do worry about it, but at the end of the day, I’m trying to be as oblivious to it as I can. Most of the time, the only solution is to switch off. You have to consciously try not to read the posts, because you’re not going to change millions of opinions of people sitting on their couches typing away on social media. Most of the time, they don’t even know you; they haven’t watched your movie. They’re just there to hate for whatever reason.
What’s the best advice you’ve received from actors like Mohanlal and Mammootty?
When it comes to acting, the idea is to focus on the main thing and nothing else. As long as you take care of acting, and keep that as the goal, you are sorted. Like Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni said, 'If you take care of cricket, cricket will take care of you.' Keep the main thing as the main thing when it comes to acting, and the rest will take care of itself.
You’ve come a long way from being a Dubai boy to starring in Malayalam blockbusters. How do you feel about that journey?
Dubai is home. Dubai is always going to be home. We do our rounds of promotions in Kerala for a film, but coming back here and seeing the love here as well really makes me feel like my life has come full circle.
Don't Miss It!
'Marco' is out in UAE cinemas now
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
