Almost Mr India is almost hero: Rahul Rajasekharan

Anil Radhakrishnan Menon has always had a penchant for quirky film titles and his upcoming film does not disappoint. Titled as Diwanji Moola Grand Prix, the film is about a place in Thrissur named Diwanji Moola and about the people who live there.  There are a host of veteran actors as well as newcomers acting in this film. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Kunchacko Boban, Nedumudi Venu, Vinayakan and Siddique is debutant Rahul Rajasekharan who is no green horn in the glamour business.   A well-known model and the face behind many well known brands, Rahul's biggest claim to fame is being the 1st runner up of the Mr India contest. 

While it is not unusual for models to enter films, in Rahul's case the offer materialised via the mini screen route. Rahul explains, “I was a participant in the game show Minute to Win and was the final winner. This show was hosted by actor Nyla Usha and it was she who referred my name to Anil Radhakrishnan. So I went for a couple of auditions, got through and landed the role." Rahul though does not want to let the cat out of the bag where his role is concerned and says, "I play one of the lead characters in the film."  The handsome Malayali hunk had been receiving a lot of film offers but it was this film that he nodded his assent to.  "In the earlier offers, either the story or my character was something I could not relate to. But I felt this role was quite apt and it came at the right time and everything fell in place."

Although a fresher in the film industry, Rahul had faced the camera in his stint as a model, but the movie camera was a totally different ball game. "I was not nervous in terms of being in front of the camera but this was my first big move towards the movie industry and I was hoping it would all go good. The start is always crazy because you don't know how it goes." While being pitted against seasoned actors onscreen the off screen experience is something Rahul cherishes. He's all praise for his director and co-actors. Anil, he says is someone who does not say much but is very supportive.

Rahul explains, "He makes sure that the entire team is well connected and gets along well which make work effortless; which I feel is very important. No matter how good you are, if you do not get along with the team, it does not balance out!"  Rahul recalls going to the sets on the days when he did not have to shoot to watch the veterans in action which was a learning experience for him.