YouTuber, actor and dialogue writer Dravid Selvam has opened up about his experience working with Malayalam star Fahadh Faasil in the upcoming Tamil film Idhayam Murali, revealing how the actor's simple gesture of asking about him left a lasting impression.
Dravid, who has written the dialogues for Idhayam Murali and also appears in the film alongside Atharvaa and Fahadh, is currently serving as the additional dialogue writer on Suriya 47, the upcoming action-comedy directed by Jithu Madhavan and starring Suriya and Nazriya Nazim.
Speaking to Touring Talkies, Dravid said he could not attend the dubbing sessions for Idhayam Murali because he was occupied with the shoot of Suriya 47, where he had to be on set throughout as part of the writing team. "By the time Fahadh sir came for dubbing, I had already started working as the dialogue writer for Suriya 47. Since I had to be on that set every day, I couldn't make it for the dubbing of Idhayam Murali," he said.
What happened next, however, came as a pleasant surprise. "When Fahadh sir came for dubbing, he asked, 'Where's Dravid?' That really touched me. The fact that he remembered me and enquired about me made me so happy," he recalled.
Dravid added that Nazriya also remembered him and asked why he had not turned up for dubbing. "Even Nazriya ma'am asked, 'Why didn't you go for the dubbing with my husband?' When artists of their stature remember you, ask about you by name and genuinely wonder where you are, it becomes a very special feeling. It meant a lot to me," he said.
The actor-writer also spoke at length about Fahadh's dedication to his craft, saying the National Award-winning actor is never satisfied with just one take. "Fahadh sir puts in an incredible amount of effort as an actor. Literally, if there's anyone who asks for retakes, it's him. He'll say, 'Let's do one more take. Give me another chance.' Even if he has somewhere important to be and everyone else is trying to finish quickly because of his schedule, he'll be the one asking if they can do another take," he revealed.
He added, "The effort he puts in is remarkable. The difference between what is written on paper and what he ultimately brings alive on screen is extraordinary. I've learnt a lot just by watching him perform."
Aakash Baskaran's Idhayam Murali, also starring Preity Mukhundhan, Kayadu Lohar, Sudhakar, Thaman, Rakshan, and Niharika NM, is gearing up to open in theatres on July 10. Jithu Madhavan's Suriya 47, on the other hand, also stars Naslen alongside Nazriya and Suriya.