Prashant Narayanan, who has essayed diverse characters in his acting career, is best known for his negative roles that have won him critical acclaim. He will be seen in a similar avatar in his forthcoming film, Fredrick. Quiz him about it and he replies, “It is an extremely special film. My character has violent shades but has far greater depth. His reactions stem out of love and angst.“

The psychological thriller is about a suspended IB agent Vikram (Avinash Dhyani) and his wife Amrita (Tulna Butalia) who go to Mussoorie to crack a network of human trafficking. The duo plans to infiltrate it by posing as tourists. But due to an unfortunate turn of events, Amrita gets kidnapped and Vikram ends up with a photograph of his missing sister. Every clue convinces him that the case is linked to the elusive Fredrick (Prashant). What happens next forms the crux of the story.

Talking about his experience of working with first-time director, Rajesh V Butalia, the actor says, “There was a positive energy on the film's set. What I like about new directors is that they don't come with fixed notions. Rajesh was clear about what he wanted and brought a lot of freshness to the project.“

He is happy that the film's music has been appreciated. Admitting that Waqt Gaya Tham sung by KK is his favourite track, he confesses sheepishly, “I have blackmailed and exerted pressure on my director to picturise it on me. He has also written the lyrics of this song that has been composed beautifully by Sunjoy Bose.“

Usually, music doesn't have a major role in psychological thrillers. But that's not the case with this film. On the contrary, it has helped to enhance the feel of this movie. Fredrick, which focusses on untouched social issues, has been shot on the snow-covered hills of Mussoorie.

Prashant, who hails from a theatre background, is also all praises for debutants Avinash and Tulna and adds that working with them was a learning experience. He is glad with the way his role has shaped up in the movie. “I have played many roles in different kinds of cinema but Fredrick is unique,“ he claims.

Fredrick, produced by Manish Kalaria, releases all over India on May 27.