Nakkhul: I fear being underutilised

Nakkhul, who will next be seen in director RG Krishnan's Vasco Da Gama, which is all set to release on August 2, calls the film a fantasy that acts like a satirical commentary on the existing social decay. Nakkhul says, "If you remember the court scene in Maasilamani where Maasi says that people who do the right thing end up in prison, Vasco Da Gama elaborates on how wrongdoers have their way and the righteous are at the receiving end. The character I play, Vasudevan, is that unlucky guy whose bowl is full of misfortunes and loses his tolerance at one point. There is an ample serving of dark humour. Vasudevan is based on our director, as he learned lessons the industry teaches in a decade with just one film."

When asked how Vasco Da Gama is going to deal with this common theme dealt with in different tones in several Tamil films, Nakkhul responds, saying, "Vasco Da Gama will be a fantasy story set against the present world. "The very reason the film is titled after the Portuguese explorer is interesting, which I cannot disclose now. In no way does it relate to what the real Vasco Da Gama has done," adds the actor.

The number of films in Nakkhul's filmography is not at all in consonance with the reasonable success he has tasted in the industry. Kandhakottai and Vallinam were four years apart; Sei and Vasco Da Gama are five years apart. He opens up by saying that the gaps between the films are not voluntary. "There are several reasons for a gap between films. In some cases, I may not have heard a great narration; in others, I may have given my fullest but I have no say in the release. The second break you mentioned after Sei was obviously due to the COVID lockdown and restrictions. I sincerely want to make films regularly. I agree with the industry's formula of having four films in hand so that at least one clicks. I haven't done as many films as was expected from me because, one, I am a stickler for logic in the script, and two, I prefer quality over quantity," he says.

Elaborating on what he looks for in a film, the actor says, "Something from the narration should tickle my senses. I am very particular about not being relegated to a particular image. I also look for some semblance of mine in the character I play, as it enables creativity and provides authenticity. Story matters the most, and then I will see how my character drives the narration. For instance, the curiosity in Vasanth in Tamizhukku En Ondrai Azhuthavum could be found in my real self," he adds further.

Having clocked a considerable number of years in television in his decade-long career, one wonders what led him to go against the typical advice given to stars not to venture into the small screen. "People in the industry told me, 'padam pannunga yedhukku TV ku laa poreenga', but I felt like exploring that space too. At the end of the day, if something excites me, I will go for it. Also, I am not the first actor to run a TV show," he adds, saying, "Nothing is going to be a hindrance to acting. I am wary of the hardships I went through to land a lead role before Kadhalil Vizhundhen happened. Also, I am fascinated with OTT web series, looking at the opportunity it has provided for actors to extend their scope beyond the regular hero role."

Getting candid about his biggest fear in this vocation, Nakkhul says, "I fear being underutilised. This fear has even pushed me into depression. I am like a surgical tool that can be put to use in multiple ways; I just need proper guidance. I don't want my potential to go to waste, some of which lies undiscovered. I thought I wouldn't lose weight, but I eventually did. Not being a sportsperson, I had doubts whether I could pull off the basketball athlete role in Vallinam; I also did that."

As good news for fans who couldn't get enough of Nakkhul and Sunainaa on-screen, the actor says the possibility is being discussed. "I was given a script recently, and I felt Sunainaa would be the perfect fit for the female lead. This is a really early stage for talking more about it. In my opinion, this could possibly be the best story for us to pair for the third time," he signs off.