Newcomer Vetri is foraying into Tamil cinema as an actor in director Sri Ganesh’s debut directorial, 8 Thottakal. This intense crime thriller, set in Chennai, is based on eight to nine characters linked by a crime scene. Aparna Balamurali of Maheshinte Prathiharam fame plays the female lead, while Nasser, MS Bhaskar, Mime Gopi, and producer T Siva are seen in significant roles.
Talking about how he landed up in 8 Thottakal, Vetri explains, “I’ve been trying to get into the industry for two years and attended several auditions. But, nothing clicked and that’s when we launched our own production. We liked Sri Ganesh’s script and agreed to get on board.”
Vetri plays a sub-inspector in the film. “It is not like the usual cop character where the cop tries to bash 10 goons. I play a very subtle character and the response we have received for the teaser and trailer is overwhelming to see. Initially, I was apprehensive to play a police officer in my first film, but Ganesh made me comfortable. We rehearsed and took references from several films,” he says.
Being a newcomer on the sets of 8 Thottakal, Vetri was nervous on the first day. “To act with experienced actors like Nasser and MS Bhaskar was a terrifying thought. But, on the first day, both of them made me comfortable and encouraged me,” he adds.
The film, which was shot in 48 days, is slated to hit the theatres on April 7, alongside Kaatru Veliyidai.
