From Kozhi' to a Comic boozer

Around 11 years ago, Sharaf U. Dheen, who was looking for a chance to enter films, forayed to the Bolgatty Palace in Kochi where the shoot of Vinayan’s Vellinakshathram was going on. It was then he saw a boat, which was moving nearer to the ferry where he was standing, with actor Prithviraj on board. It was his first meeting with the actor in person. As time flew, Sharaf, who shot to fame through the role of Girirajan Kozhi in Premam, has got the golden chance to share screenspace with one of his favourite actors in Marthandan’s Paavada.

“That was an unexpected meeting. It was for the first time I was seeing him off screen. More than that, it was my second meeting with a film star, after Jayaram.

Prithviraj is one of my favourite actors in the M’town; his performance in Swapnakkoodu, Stop Violence, Memories and Mumbai Police has made me his follower," says an excited Sharaf, who is on cloud nine over acting with Prithvi.
It was after the release of Premam, Sharaf got Marthandan’s call. “Without a second thought and without hearing the subject, I accepted the offer — firstly, because it is a Prithviraj project. The other factors were the director and the producer. A film directed by Marthandan chettan, who has around 20 years experience in the industry, and produced by Maniyan Pillai Raju chettan, who has gifted us many memorable-hit movies...," says Sharaf, who essays the role of Vilakoothi Rajan, the close friend of Prithvi's ‘Paampu Joy’ in the film. It was after he joined the sets of the film, he listened to the script of the film.

“When I accepted the offer, I had no clue that this film has such a brilliant script. Bipin (Bipin Chandran) chettan’s story is the backbone of this project. My character Vilakoothi Rajan is Joy’s close friend. Like Joy, Rajan also looks for all possible the ways to get booze from morning itself. In a way, it was an easy role for me as I have seen many such people in my village. Another interesting factor is that this character is written based on a real person. Bipin chettan’s one friend has told me that such a person is their in his native,” says the actor, who has two films in his kitty.

“As of now, I am acting in Omar’s Happy Wedding along with Siju Wilson in the lead roles. It is an out and out comedy film, which shows the troubles facing by Siju’s character, who is planning to get married. I am essaying his cousin’s role in the film. My next will be directed by Althaf, who has acted as Mary’s friend in Premam. Nivin Pauly will be the hero in this film,” he sums up.