Khalid Rahman is undoubtedly a big name in Malayalam cinema. As an upcoming artist, being part of his movie must have been a huge opportunity. How was your experience working with him?
To be honest, I didn’t know who Khalid Rahman was when I first got the callback. I was raised in the north and wasn’t very familiar with Malayalam cinema. Ask me about Bollywood or Hollywood, and I might know more. But I’m still new here and just getting exposed to the Malayalam industry.
Once I watched Thallumala, I realised the scale of his work and how successful his films have been. That’s when it hit me — this is big. Working with him was definitely a unique experience. He’s a very instinctive director — he’ll make spontaneous decisions if something isn’t working, or shift a scene to a better setting. I feel he has a clear vision in his head and doesn’t stop until he sees it come to life. It was a really good experience overall.
What is your dream role or project?
I’m looking for roles that demand deeper preparation, where I can truly get into a character’s skin and grow as an actor. But language has also been a slight issue so far.
My biggest professional dream is to work with Shah Rukh Khan one day. I believe I will make that happen. And after that? Who knows — maybe I’ll aim for Hollywood (laughs). I’m a very ambitious person.
How do you feel about the recent online criticism you have faced?
I got trolled for an outfit I wore to a promotion event — a short skirt. That one skirt somehow became the talk of Facebook, racking up a million views and 400 hate comments. I can’t read Malayalam, so I had to ask my friends what people were saying. Their responses made it clear it wasn’t pleasant. I genuinely hope to be criticized for my work, not my wardrobe.
