For Shine Tom Chacko, acting is a quintessential trade. According to him, it has to be perfect and should be relatable to those who see it. The character roles he played during his eight-year-long career have been the proof to that philosophy. Creating a space of his own in the industry, Shine continues to shine in each role he is offered, the latest being his surprising but notable character Kochupilla in the recent hit Kayamkulam Kochunni. “The experience was so special for two things - being a part of a big budget project and of course, playing such a role. That demanded many things from me. I like challenges because they bring the best out of you.”
Shine has been doing a number of character roles lately and when asked if he has become choosey, he says he does not care how big or small the role is. If the story is good and the character has depth, he won’t go looking for any reason to say no to the offer. “I look at the story. If the story is interesting, I focus on whether my character sounds good. That is how it works for me,” he says. A hunger for good roles is what keeps him going.
Shine is very critical and objective of his own performances and believes that he has evolved well in the course of his career that has seen over 20 films. From his debut film Gaddama to Kayamkulam Kochunni, he has seen a transition in the industry as well as in his own performance. “Malayalam cinema is ever changing and has been finding its mojo back. It is very challenging now. Well, if you are not capable enough or not adept at getting adjusted to that transition, surviving in this industry is hard. We have a great bunch of artistes and filmmakers. We broke the stereotypes about heroes, villains and even filmmaking. Also, I think the taste of the audience has changed. Now they demand more from the industry, which is very good,” he opines.
“I used to go to films just to watch them when I was a kid. Now look around, the situation has changed. Each and every film viewer is analysing it with an eye of a critic. And the amount of technology and knowledge they have make them powerful. As an actor, as a film lover, I think you need to be very focused and ready to accept the change and improve yourself when the lights start to flicker. Malayalam cinema is definitely going through that transition period.”
With a handful of movies, Shine is a busy actor in the tinsel town. He is not worried about the roles he is getting, but he always gives preference to the role that gives him more screen time. Asked if he has any views against playing villainous characters, he says he never had any problem. He has set a standard and directors are after this talented actor.
After Kayamkulam Kochunni’s success, Shine has more reasons to get excited as he is waiting for the release of his next film Who. The movie will be a different experience for the viewers, says Shine. The film belongs to the fantasy psychological thriller genre which also has time travel elements in it. “The movie is in English and Malayalam. Sixty per cent of it will be in English. My character John Luca is very complex and it is definitely one of the most challenging roles that I have done.” The movie, directed by Ajay Devaloka, made headlines recently when it got official selection to the Cannes Film Festival. Rajeev Pillai, Pearle Maaney and Shruthy Menon are other actors. The movie is set to hit the screens this week and Shine believes it is definitely a proof for how far our cinema has come forward.
Other than Who, two more of his films, Ottakoru Kamukan and Oru Kaattil Oru Payakappal, are set to hit the screens. Thami, Mask and Mammotty-starrer Unda are other projects that are in progress.
