Multi-faceted actor and filmmaker Raghava Lawrence has cleared the air regarding the speculation that he was cast as a formidable foe to Rajinikanth in Thalaivar 171, helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. When DC got in touch with him, he said “There’s no truth in it. But, if the opportunity comes, I am ready to don any character in Thalaivar’s film.”
Lawrence, who is currently prepping for the Diwali release of Jigarthanda Double X, was eager to share details about the film, including the total transformation he underwent for his character. Jigarthanda Double X, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, has S.J. Suryah as one of the protagonists while Nimisha Sajayan has been cast opposite Lawrence.
Expressing confidence that the film would be a defining one in his career, Lawrence shared that though he was approached for the original Jigarthanda, scheduling conflicts had prevented his participation in that project. “However, I seized the moment with this spiritual sequel and embraced the script,” he said.
Elaborating on his character in the period piece, the actor said he plays a gangster from the 1970s, with all the authentic trappings, down to bell-bottoms, a nose septum ring, and a tribal necklace. “The film explores black humour, and we have worked hard to capture the dialect of a Madurai-based tribe with the help of a language trainer. The climax, in particular, is intense and emotional,” Lawrence disclosed.
The actor is noted for his dance skills, but he promises a departure from the usual in this film. “You will see a different side of me — Karthik insisted on an unconventional approach to my dance sequences, combining dialogue and whistling in an unorthodox manner,” he revealed.
The actor-director was also full of praise for co-star Nimisha. He remarked that her natural ability to transition seamlessly into her role, often nailing scenes in a single take, kept him on his toes during their shared scenes.
