Cinema is the dream world of many youngsters. Some desire to be actors from a young age, while many accidentally land up in the tinsel town. Either way, they get to live their dreams. Navaneeth Saju, an advertising professional based in Kochi, yearned to be an actor from his schooldays and when it finally happened, he was on cloud nine. The youngster was chosen to play the younger Lallu, the character essayed by Dulquer Salmaan, in Oru Yamandan Premakadha.
Being a Dulquer fan, Navaneeth’s excitement is still at peak. The movie was released on Thursday and is having a successful run at the box-office. Navaneeth has been in the industry for around four years doing short films and web series. He had done a short film with Shine Tom Chacko and that acted as his reference video for many movie auditions. He was also cast in Queen, but had to drop out due to some personal issues. However, he was part of the movie’s trailer. “I made good connection with the crew of Queen, even though I was there for a day’s shooting only. Manu, whom I met there, informed me about the audition of Oru Yamandan Premakadha and sent my photos to assistant director Sarath,” says Navaneeth. However, the audition was really a surprising experience for him as director B.C. Noufal and writer Vishnu Unnikrishnan were present there.
“I was asked to enact my scene in the movie for audition. Fortunately, it worked out and I was selected. The audition happened in June last year. The movie got delayed due to the flood. Finally, it is in theatres and is getting good reviews. I’m also getting good responses regarding my performance, which is a double delight,” he adds. He asserts that ne never expected to play the role of younger Lallu. “Vishnu chettan and Bibin chettan helped me a lot. Vishnu chettan told me to act without any tension, whereas Bibin chettan gave me some acting references. The crew was very friendly. I even dubbed for the character. Since I didn’t have combination scenes with Dulquer, I went to meet him on the sets when the climax was being shot. I was very happy to meet him and heard that he liked by acting. I’m so blessed to have worked with a yamandan team.”
He has got around three offers after the movie was released. “The projects are still in talks. I’m happy that movie offers are coming my way. My family has always been a pillar of strength. They were really proud and happy to see me on screen. I’m also interested in scripting. I wish to be in movies, I hope to stay here,” he wraps up.
