Great expectations
SANGEETA
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Narain and Pooja play the lead in `Pandaya Kozhi,' which is releasing tomorrow.
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CHOOSY ACTOR: Instead of going on a signing spree, Narain says he prefers to wait for the right role. Pooja, left, is his heroine in `Pandaya Kozhi.'
Having your film released along with the films of super stars is bound to give any one sleepless nights, confesses actor Narain. `Pandaya Kozhi,' starring Narain, will hit the theatres tomorrow. The film directed by M.A. Venu is produced by Lal Creations.
"Of course, I am tense, my film comes amidst three celebrated box office promises. But I am optimistic because the film is good. The team has done its best," says a confident Narain, as he competes for his share of the market this season.
The storyline
"I play Nandu, a happy-go-lucky youngster, who lives with his mother and sister. A series of incidents change his life and as the story progresses, he turns mature and serious. But the star of the film is Lalettan [Lal]," he explains.
Tamil actor Pooja debuts in Malayalam as Narain's heroine and actor Geeta makes a comeback to Malayalam as his mother.
"I have high hopes for `Pandaya Kozhi,"' adds Narain, who is shooting for Shyamaprasad's `Ore Kadal' in Chennai. The film stars Mammooty and Meera Jasmine in the lead.
"I have a challenging role. Jayan, my character, is the loving, easygoing middle class husband of Deepti, played by Meera Jasmine. I have worked with her once, but this is my first time with Mammookka [Mammootty]," explains Narain.
Narain is perhaps the only actor from the young brigade who can be easily moulded as a hero, anti hero, or a character artiste.
Narain admits that he is very choosy and does not mind waiting for the right break.
"I don't take up all offers that come to me. I want to do different roles and I am not bothered about the time factor. There was a year's gap between `For the People' and `Achuvinte Amma,' and again an year's gap before `Chithiram Pesuthadi.' The characters were very different from one another - a cop in `For the People,' and a good natured youngster in `Achuvinte Amma' and a gangster in `Chithirum Pesuthadi.'
The Tamil industry gives more chances and choices for youngsters, feels Narain. "There are a number of new directors and script writers emerging in Tamil cinema these days. Malayalam is yet to accommodate new talents. There are very few scripts written for the young generation. I have been very selective in Tamil, but one cannot afford to do the same in Malayalam, because there is no choice. But I have been lucky. I have had brilliant directors casting me in their films. And you don't say `let me think' when Sathyan Anthikad or Lal Jose calls you."
He confides that he always wanted to be an actor. "I told Rajiv Menon this while I was interviewed for an internship with him. I tried and failed many times to get a break as an actor.
"I joined the set of `For the People' while I was working for `Morning Raga.' It was an emotional juncture in my life. Handing over the camera and light meter I sought his blessings. Shabana Azmi, who was the lead actor in the film also wished me good luck," remembers Narain. His forthcoming release is `Pallikoodam' in Tamil, directed by Thangar Bachan.
"It is about a school in a village in Tamil Nadu. The authorities decide to close it down owing to lack of funds. Then a group of former students try to revive the school. I play Vetrivel, a former student who becomes a District Collector. Vetrivel was once thrown out of the village because of his involvement with the headmaster's daughter. Sneha is my heroine in the film. Besides Sneha, there is Thangar himself and director Seeman in the cast."
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