It is a migration which has been going on for years and will keep on happening for years to come. No, it is not about migrating to the distant lands of your dreams or bird migrations but about actors making a transition from the small screen to the big screen and lately, vice-versa too. While the mini screen has always been considered the poor cousin of the larger-than-life marquee, there is no denying the power of the TV that bestows a more personal experience, considering that you are watching the drama unfold, sitting in the relaxing confines of your drawing room.
A businessman with an advertising business, Adil Ibrahim had debuted on the big screen three years back and was noticed for his role of an Army cadet in the film Nirnayakam. But it was the dance reality show D4Dance that made him a household name and gave him instant recognition; the number of followers on his social page is ample proof of the power of the medium. The decision to turn host for the show was not as easy as it sounds.
It had the Damocles’ sword hanging over Adil’s head in the form of the immensely popular former host Govind Padmasoorya, into whose shoes he was stepping into. Adil took on that challenge head on and is now enjoying his moment in the sun, laying any comparisons to rest. Adil is also turning hero with the film Kappiri Thuruthu that looks at the life of Fort Kochi in the olden days.
He also found time to act in a short film Hridayam made by a few of his friends with a deep passion for cinema. Adil says, “It was a message-oriented film related to organ donation wrapped in the theme of love. It was just a two-day shoot, so I could spare the time.” But what has Adil really excited is his upcoming film Kappiri Thuruthu set from the 1970s period to the present era. He says, “I have done only a few films but this is a role I am looking forward to. The film directed by Saheer Ali has commercial as well as non-commercial elements. It is a very challenging role for any actor. I play a singer called Sadanandan who gets married to a Jewish girl played by Pearle Maaney and what happens to his life forms the rest of the story.”
The film is a musical that looks at the rich cultural heritage of yore that Fort Kochi was known for — its singers and musicians. The film has five songs and even has Mirza Ghalib’s songs. The director did a lot of research for the film and Adil too did his homework. Adil narrates an episode of the shoot, “My character goes through different stages and in one part, I have to shave half of my hair to play an aged character and so for D4Dance , I had to wear a wig for some parts of the shoot. Even now, my hair has still not grown to its original thickness! I have six looks in the film and though it was exciting, it was challenging too.”
The locations of the shoot also provided Adil some special moments. They shot at Nizamuddin Dargah, Jama Masjid, and Chandni Chowk. Adil shares, “I had roamed around Delhi three years back before films happened and at that time, I was yearning to be an actor. I had gone to Nizamuddin dargah and prayed fervently that I become an actor and three years later, I go there for the shoot of my film; so that’s my prayers answered! That was surreal!" Adil mentions that no matter what the commercial outcome of the film is, he is happy to be a part of such a strong script.
Meanwhile the comments and digs comparing him to ex- host GP have dwindled off and Adil is a relieved man. He says, “The viewers like my wit and retorts from the messages, calls and responses I am getting. The audience have taken my comments in the right spirit and it is because of this platform that I got Kappiri Thuruthu. I have signed on for an action- thriller and there are some projects under discussion.”
