Star kids foraying into filmdom, following the path of their parents might not be a new phenomenon in Malayalam film industry. Prithviraj, Indrajith, Dulquer Salmaan, Gokul Suresh and recently, Pranav Mohanlal — all came to the industry after their fathers established their own fan followers. But Soubin Shahir’s debut directorial venture will let you see an interesting gang of star kids — children of star-rated mimicry artistes, who all made the viewers laugh with their own numbers on stage and later in films. Arjun Ashokan, son of Harisree Ashokan, Zinil Sainudeen, son of late actor Sainudeen, and Shane Nigam, son of Abi, are teaming up for Parava.
About the casting, Soubin says, “I am happy to team them up for a movie. All the three will be acting as friends in a gang along with Gregory.” Quizzed about his casting, Arjun says, “It was my ambition to get into films. In fact, I had acted in very few scenes in the film Orkut Oru Ormakkoot.But it will be in Parava that I get a full-length role for the first time.” Though Zinil and Shane are sons of his father’s friends, it was after he decided to get into films that he acquainted with them. “As we both are residing at different locations and belong to different age groups, we were not in touch though our dads were friends. I got acquainted with Zinil first and later, during the auditions for Parava, I met Shane. Now we all are thick friends and I think that would benefit our onscreen presence.”
Along with Arjun, his father Harisree Ashokan is also acting in Parava. “It was through him that Soubin ikka called me to this project even before he cast achan. One day, achan told me that Soubin had asked for my phone number and when we talked over phone, he revealed that he was planning to cast me in Parava.” Quizzed about his preps for the act with his father, Arjun says, “As we are father and son, there is always that distance between us. But I guess he will be in the mood of his character when he comes to the sets.”
