Antony Varghese: Action should have a purpose and emotion

Among the current generation of actors in Malayalam, Antony Varghese is among the most sought-after for action films. Right from his smashing debut in Angamaly Diaries (2017) to his most recent Daveed, the actor has consistently delivered the punches, at times above his weight. In fact, Antony's powerful punches alone have a separate fan base, with fans often comparing it to the 'Hulk smash'. "It's fun when people share such trolls with me. I've always tried to give my best and it's great when these efforts pay off. I grew up enjoying action films done by Vijay annan, Lalettan, Mammookka, etc. When people show me similar love, it only motivates me to push harder," says Antony.

Coming from a humble background and making it big in a highly competitive field, Antony's success story is an inspiration for many. His relatability as an average Malayali youth and zero starry airs further make him a crowd favourite. "I don't try to act humble. That's just me," laughs the actor. "If I want to appreciate someone, I do it wholeheartedly. I can't fake it just because I'm an actor. Of course, there are instances where I have to suppress my emotions in public, but I mostly strive to be true to myself. Cinema has given me a lot for which I'm extremely grateful, but at the end of the day, I'm Angamalykaaran Antony Varghese."

Riding high on the back-to-back success of Angamaly Diaries, Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil (2018), Jallikkattu (2021), and Ajagajantharam (2022), Antony had a glorious start to his career. But in an attempt to break the mould, he briefly went off track doing genres beyond action. None of those films—Innale Vare (2022), Aanaparambile World Cup (2022), Oh Meri Laila (2022), and Poovan (2023)—yielded the desired results, prompting the actor for a thorough introspection. "Though I was keen on mixing genres, people were expecting good action films from me. Right now, my focus is on doing films that play to my strengths while also covering other emotions. It can be action-heavy, but the purpose and emotion behind it should connect well with the audience."

The first step towards this shift was RDX (2023), the biggest hit in Antony's career so far. Despite being a multi-starrer, the actor held his own in the film, while exploring areas that were beyond his strength. "RDX had a bit of comedy, romance, family emotions and of course, plenty of action. It was the perfect mix and the response was a massive booster. Until then, my films only reached the youth, but RDX took me to the families. Even kids recognise me as the actor from RDX. It was also one of the reasons why I picked Daveed, another film that covers a variety of emotions."

Daveed has Antony as Abu, a loafer, who apart from occasional gigs as a bouncer for celebrity events, is mostly busy with endless slumbers. A chance encounter with an internationally acclaimed boxer awakens Abu and the demons of his dark past. "I liked the script and Abu's characterisation. He is a lazy and irresponsible family man but used to be a completely different person as a youngster. Once he's cornered and all the odds are stacked against him, he sets out with a determination to do something for his family. I liked how it's not just another idi padam, but a fine blend of family emotions and boxing," says Antony, before adding that the reception for the film encourages him to try varied genres. "I'd love to do a rom-com," he says.

Antony, currently focused on picking up relatable roles, says he could identify a lot with Abu's character. "I was also similarly lazy but this film has been quite a transformational experience. More than anything, Daveed taught me to be disciplined. I was completely devoted for over six months with strict diets, exhaustive workouts, and boxing training every day. I weighed around 97 when I signed the film, but shed close to 23 kgs during this period. I was 74 while shooting the climax." When asked if he plans to maintain this physique, pat comes the reply, "Definitely. I'm not going back to my old ways again. I'm 79 now, but I want to reduce it. A toned physique is perhaps the best feeling ever. It makes you feel light and energetic. Chaadi chaadi nikkam!"

Twelve films in eight years is an unusual number for an actor in Malayalam cinema, where films are usually wrapped up quickly. Having realised that only now, Antony reveals he is rethinking his career plans. "My last three films (RDX, Kondal, Daveed) alone took six months each. I'm now keen on working continuously to refine myself as a performer. It is the same with everything in life, right? The more you do, the better you become." But how does he take it when a film he has devoted a lot of time to fails? "It's like participating in the Olympics. You know there's no guarantee of winning, but you still put in your best efforts. We do that out of our love for our craft. Sure, I get dejected when a film flops, but there's nothing much I can do apart from giving my best. Maybe the result of this film's efforts will help me in some other film. I've learned not to be obsessed with results."

For any actor, his body is his biggest tool and however advanced the safety measures are, injuries are inevitable while filming action. Antony has also had his share of fractures and injuries, including one to his face while shooting for Jallikattu, resulting in surgery and twelve stitches. "Action is indeed risky. But I think I have a knack for it, so I try not to use stunt doubles. Having said that, bike stunts and chase sequences still scare me. I haven't done a lot of it, but it gets me anxious. It needs a lot of skill and control." And any regrets? "Like I said, I grew up on a steady diet of action films done by our superstars and Vijay annan. Perhaps the only regret is not being able to do Master (2021) with him. I was helpless as my dates clashed with Ajagajantharam."

Looking ahead, Antony's upcoming lineup also has a fair bit of action in them. He has signed for a film with Shareef Muhammed's Cubes Entertainment, who produced the blockbuster action-thriller Marco. "I can't say anything about it now, but you know what to expect. There's also a film with RDX director Nahas Hidhayath." The one starring Dulquer Salmaan? "Again, I can't confirm," chuckles the actor, leaving us on a cliffhanger.