A spoonful of delicious biriyani

After Thiruvananthapuram, it was the turn of Kochi to play host to Kollywood actor Karthi and the team of the upcoming film 'Biriyani' who are in town to promote the film. 

Karthi has a lot of expectations riding on this Venkat Prabhu film.

Talking about the film, Karthi says, “Gnanavelan, music director Yuvan Shankar Raja and Venkat Prabhu are my school mates and we have known each other since the days we were in shorts in school. This makes 'Biriyani' very special for me. It is also Yuvan's 100th film and I am happy to be a part of it."

Talking about his character Karthi says candidly, “This film happened when I was looking for a makeover and wanted a stylised film. I play a playboy who must have biriyani when he gets drunk! It is the story of an ordinary man in an extraordinary situation. I have got a total urban makeover in clothes, looks and attitude in this dark comedy thriller!"

This 'Biriyani' is very special for yet another reason. Karthi has sung a song for the first time in this film. It was Venkat Prabhu's idea that Karthi sing the song "Mississippi..." to add a natural touch. Karthi quips, “I enjoyed singing the song which is a mood song though I felt I was talking..."

For Mandy Thakar, a British Indian model and Punjabi actor, it is her first brush with South Indian films.

Terming the acting experience as crazy yet exciting she says, “The film is a good launch pad but I still have not been able to figure if I am the leg piece in the biriyani or the chilli or both! This role is very different from what I have done in my Punjabi films. I was uncomfortable initially but the support of my co-stars helped me! I play Maya who makes men swoon with her sensuality; I had to wear a saree which thankfully, I could carry off."

Karthi chips in saying, “In her Punjabi films, she plays this homely girl but we brought her here and made her do this number! Initially her discomfort was evident but soon she surprised us with her performance," says Karthi sporting a French beard for his next film with Ranjith.

He is also in the process of losing weight for the film. Looks like another makeover is in the offing!