Over the years, many actors in Malayalam cinema, including Mohanlal and Mammootty, said that they would like to be remembered as actors and not movie stars. The latest to do so is Tovino Thomas.
Speaking to Galatta Plus recently, Tovino said that he does not regard himself as a movie star. When the interviewer suggested that he has been offered roles in films that producers would hesitate to offer to certain other actors, Tovino said that this is not an indicator of stardom. "I do not see it as stardom. I see it as bankability," he said.
Tovino was asked about whether he considered the risk of box office failure when signing up for an 'experimental' film such as Adrishya Jalakangal, directed by Dr Biju.
In response, the actor said that he was aware that it might be a big box office hit before signing on to the film. Tovino said that he would do such films for a small amount of remuneration, sacrificing the rest of the amount and asking their makers to regard it as his 'investment' in the projects. For example, Tovino Thomas is among the producers of Adrishya Jalakangal.
Looking ahead, the actor has multiple projects in various stages of production. He is awaiting the April 15 release of Pallichattambi, directed by Dijo Jose Antony, and the May 14 release of Athiradi. He is also attached to the second instalment in the Lokah franchise, reprising his role as Michael / Maathan in it.
