Abhinay Vaddi, the grandson of legendary actors Gemini Ganesan and Savithri, is the latest addition to the star cast of the Chennai 28 sequel. The actor, who played math wizard Srinivasa Ramanujan in the biopic Ramanujan, is finally teaming up with his long-time friend Venkat Prabhu for his upcoming venture produced by Black Ticket Company.
“Venkat, Premgi, Vijay Vasanth and I know each other for more than 10 years. They have always motivated me to act onscreen. I am playing a grey-shaded role and I am quite thrilled about what Venkat has for me. Currently, the crew is off to Thenkasi, and my schedule will start from next month first week. When the film was initially made in 2007, it didn’t have many popular faces, but the film gave many actors their own identities. But this time, Venkat wanted to bring in more renowned actors and make it colourful. Actually, he didn’t tell us anything about the story yet. I said ‘yes’ simply because it’s Venkat Prabhu,” he smiles.
We ask him, is that why he has been growing a thick beard and moustache, and Abhinay bursts into laughter. “No, even before Venkat roped me in, I had it. I think it’s a mere co-incidence!” he says.
What’s next? “If you want to be versatile as an actor, you need to do different films. I need to be open to all kinds of cinema. I haven’t signed anything as of now, but my physiological thriller Michaelagiya Naan is due for release. I make sure I choose not the regular run-of-the-mill films. I like challenges, and when such movies are offered to me, I grab them with all I have.”
Released in 2007, Chennai 28 explored themes such as love, friendship and rivalry against the backdrop of ‘gully cricket’. The sequel will feature an ensemble cast with Jai, Shiva, Aravind Akash, Nitin Sathyaa, and Vaibhav among others.
