Showing posts with label Roshan Mathew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roshan Mathew. Show all posts
Sizes of entourages are bigger in Bollywood but unfair to compare it and Malayalam industry-Roshan Mathew
9:54 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; January 25, 2026)
Earlier this week, actor Roshan Mathew saw the release of his Malayalam action comedy Chatha Pacha: The Ring Of Rowdies. Now, he is gearing up for what comes next. Among the projects in his line-up, the actor tells mid-day that the one he is most hopeful about beginning soon is the second season of Kankhajura. The inaugural season of the SonyLIV thriller premièred in May last year.
“We are all set for a second season with a story in place. We are super excited to go back because it’s such a lovely collection of actors — [Mohit Raina, Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, and Sarah Jane-Dias]. I have also loved working with the crew,” he shares of the series directed by Chandan Arora.
Mathew’s 11-year career is peppered with work across languages. He believes that moving between industries is essential to challenge stereotypes.
“It’s a constant choice that you have to keep making,” he notes. Working across industries also exposes him to varied work cultures. “If Malayalam film sets are intimate and largely non-hierarchical, Bollywood sets are often marked by large entourages and scale. Having experienced both, he feels comparisons are unfair.”
“I’ve noticed that the sizes of entourages are bigger in Bollywood. But it’s also unfair to blindly compare the two because the kind of crowd that would gather when a Bollywood star is shooting in an exterior location in Mumbai cannot be compared to a star shooting in a location in Kochi. Crowd management itself requires more resources in [big cities]. Firstly, Kochi is not as crowded. Secondly, people here understand that they need to keep a distance with artistes when they’re working,” he says.
While Malayalam cinema has traditionally been “grounded in a way that we can do the best with the resources at our disposal”, Mathew observes a clear budgetary shift. “There’s a gradual shift because the audience is demanding it, as it’s exposed to all kinds of cinema and the industry knows that it cannot retain the audience’s interest by only serving something frugal.”
Case in point is director Geetu Mohandas — with whom he collaborated on Moothon (2019) — who is now helming the big-budget period actioner Toxic, starring Yash.
When asked about its recent teaser getting mixed reactions with some criticizing the director for objectifying women, Mathew says, “I have seen the teaser; it doesn’t reveal anything about the film’s story or the world. So, I can’t judge it. But I am not surprised by the audience’s reaction because Geethu is too brave to repeat herself.”
I haven't had the kind of negative experiences that Anurag Kashyap has had-Roshan Mathew
8:47 AM
Happy to juggle Malayalam and Hindi films, Kankhajura actor Roshan Mathew on how he hasn’t faced the star system in Bollywood
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; May 26, 2025)
Unmissable is how Roshan Mathew describes his character in the upcoming thriller, Kankhajura. The actor plays Ashu, who reunites with his elder brother Max, essayed by Mohit Raina, after serving 14 years in prison. The Sony LIV series explores the changing family dynamics, conflicts, and secrets amid his return. With Ashu written as an unpredictable and intense part, Mathew says his approach was to build the character’s inner world in his mind.
“I tried to understand his core — who is Ashu when he is just by himself? What’s his base layer that no one else sees, because he is pretending in front of almost everyone,” shares the actor. Since his Bollywood debut with Anurag Kashyap’s Choked in 2020, Mathew has struck a balance, juggling Malayalam films like C U Soon (2020) and Night Drive (2022) with Hindi offerings Darlings (2022) and Ulajh (2024).
Kashyap has repeatedly remarked that unlike Bollywood, the Malayalam film industry is anti-hierarchical. Does Mathew agree? “Everything that he said is true. However, [in Bollywood], I’ve not had the kind of negative experiences that he has had. I’ve been lucky that even when I worked with a big star like Alia [Bhatt], I never felt that her stardom was hindering [filmmaking]. In fact, her being the star only helped the process, be it Darlings or Poacher [2024].”
He adds that in Malayalam cinema, people raise eyebrows if an actor throws starry tantrums. “Everybody is on equal footing [there]. When it isn’t the case, it’s an anomaly,” he states.
Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju returns with psychological thriller Kankhajura starring Mohit Raina, Roshan Mathew
8:53 AM
Trinetra Haldar on fan-girling over Roshan Mathew and getting offers for diverse parts
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 20, 2025)
After her breakout role in Made in Heaven 2 (2023), actor and doctor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju returns to the screen with her second project, the psychological thriller, Kankhajura. The Sony LIV series — also starring Mohit Raina, Roshan Mathew, and Sarah Jane Dias — is the official adaptation of the Israeli series, Magpie.
The show follows two estranged brothers, forced to revisit their haunted past as memories twist into a dangerous reality. Haldar plays a Catholic trans woman from Goa who finds herself entangled in a dark mystery. She says working with Mathew — her on-screen partner — was a dream collaboration.
“With Roshan, it was wonderful and also a little scary as I am a huge fan of his work in Malayalam and Hindi cinema. I was a bundle of nerves just being on set with him. He has generous energy as a co-actor,” she shares. Despite her initial nerves, their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie quickly found a rhythm.
Thrilled by the roles coming her way, she adds, “The volume of roles that are coming in now are interesting. There is more curiosity and openness to casting me.”
Roshan Mathew reveals he was rejected for a role in Kapoor & Sons
9:24 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; December 11, 2024)
Roshan Mathew started his career with a Hindi web series, Tanlines, but he is primarily known for his work in Malayalam movies. The actor was recently seen in Ulajh alongside Janhvi Kapoor. Talking about his stint in Hindi movies, Roshan states, “I'm happy with the little bit of work that I've done in Hindi so far. I just want the quality of the experiences to continue. I'm not looking at anything else.”
'Mumbai is where all of it began'
Recalling his early days in this city, Roshan says, “Mumbai is where I started seeing the world out, with all the opportunities out there and all there is to be done as far as acting is concerned. I decided to make a living out of being an actor when I was in Chennai. I came to Mumbai to learn a little bit of theater. When I came here, I met so many actors and creators who were out just actively working every day and thriving. That's what inspired me to stay back. Mumbai is actually where all of it began.”
'It is tough to accept rejection'
Interestingly, not many know that Roshan had auditioned for Kapoor & Sons, for a part that was later played by actor Sukant Goel. “It was a very small character in Kapoor & Sons,” Roshan says.
Ask him if rejections and losing out on that project particularly affected him and he replies, “Obviously it does. It's tough to accept rejection. But people who have been around me have helped a lot. Luckily there's always been one project that has come where I could fully put my energy and attention into, just when I've been at the end of my patience. Rejections aren't easy to take. It will be very easy for me to sit here and say, ‘Struggle is part of the journey’. It is tough when it's happening for sure,” Roshan explains.
'I have my own devised method of filtering out what gets to me'
In the industry when there is so much noise about how one looks, Roshan reveals that he has easily cancelled out that noise. “Either that (noise) hasn't started reaching my ears yet or I have already figured out a way to filter it out,” Roshan says, adding, “I'm not starting off here (in Hindi films). I've been doing films for about like nine years. I have devised my own method of filtering out what gets to me. Just like you pick scripts and everything, you also filter out what needs to be filtered out, whether it is opinions, suggestions, or criticisms. You must regulate your consumption. Maybe I've managed to do that or maybe the noise hasn't reached like deafening levels yet.”
The qualifier that I come from Malayalam cinema is not essential anymore-Roshan Mathew
9:14 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 22, 2024)
Actors working across regional film industries is no longer a novel concept, feels Roshan Mathew. The actor, who is currently shooting for writer-director Shahi Kabir’s second film, alongside Malayalam actor-filmmaker Dileesh Pothan tells us, “I think cross-pollination is fairly ordinary right now; I don’t think anybody looks at it as something exotic anymore. In a country like India, this opens up so many possibilities.”
The 32-year-old, who was last seen in director Sudhanshu Saria’s Ulajh, says the film felt different from his previous Hindi projects.
“How I was spoken about during Ulajh promotions was very different from the way I was spoken about when Darlings (2022) released. When Choked (2020; his Hindi debut) came out, almost every article read ‘This Malayalam actor is going to play the lead in Anurag Kashyap’s film’,” he says, adding, ”But with Ulajh, I loved how nonchalantly people just said ’This film stars Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan’. The qualifier — that I come from Malayalam cinema — is not essential anymore.”
While film technicians have always worked cross-industry, Mathew muses that the language barrier might have limited actors initially. “Actors have to perform in languages they don’t necessarily understand. Fortunately for me, I know Hindi and Tamil; that’s why I worked in those industries, besides Malayalam. Now, Marathi actors are doing Malayalam films and (Tamil actor) Vijay Sethupathi has done major Bollywood films. I find it all very exciting,” he beams.
Roshan Mathew opens up on Ulajh’s box-office reception: "Hoping it finds more audience on OTT"
8:07 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 12, 2024)
Actor Roshan Mathew has had a fruitful stint in Hindi films so far. The actor, who started with Tamil theatre and has featured in Malayalam films, got an opportunity to showcase his flair with Anurag Kashyap’s Choked (2020). The 32-year-old then went on to star alongside Alia Bhatt in Darlings (2022), where his work came in for praise again.
Talking to us about Ulajh, his first Hindi theatrical release, Mathew says he is satisfied with the response the Jahnvi Kapoor-starrer has received. “In the times we are [in], we don’t have the luxury of a film just staying in theatres long enough so that people can trickle in and discover the film as word spreads,” the actor says.
Mathew is also grateful for the easy transition to OTT that big-screen films get these days. “Luckily, today, nobody has to wait years until it (a film) comes on a TV channel or you look for a pirated copy. I am hoping Ulajh finds more of its audience in the days to come as it stays in theatres and then when it comes later on OTT,” he says.
Do box-office numbers matter to the actor? “If I said it doesn’t affect me at all, I would be lying. We do movies because we believe in them. Who wants to make a movie no one watches? We ideally want everybody to watch it and enjoy it,” he answers.
The 32-year-old, however, does realise that not everything can be controlled. “You have to do your work with all honesty and give it your best shot — especially as an actor, in front of the camera. The rest of it is going to be unpredictable. Before this, there were movies I have been really excited about, projects I strongly believed in, but [those films] did not find an audience in theatres,” he wraps up.
You can see a glimpse of Sridevi ji in Janhvi Kapoor-Rajesh Tailang
8:34 AM
Rajesh Tailang, an admirer of late Sridevi’s work, describes his Ulajh co-star Janhvi Kapoor as a natural in front of the camera
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 18, 2024)
Only weeks after the première of Mirzapur’s third season, Rajesh Tailang is counting the days to his next release, Ulajh. For the thriller, director Sudhanshu Saria has brought an eclectic cast together—Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew hold centre-stage, ably supported by seasoned actors Adil Hussain and Tailang.
“All my co-stars in Ulajh are so sincere, and did such a good job. I don’t think I was as good an actor at their age. Roshan and Gulshan are thoughtful actors. They do a scene not just for the sake of it; they put a lot of thought and hard work behind it,” marvels Tailang.
Most of his scenes in the film are with Kapoor, whom he calls a natural in front of the camera. “She is hard-working and a natural. She is a supportive and grounded actor, which helps you as a co-star. We were all fans of her mother. You can see a glimpse of Sridevi-ji in her,” he says.
After Ulajh, Tailang will be seen in Bandish Bandits 2, a satire with Sakshi Tanwar and Gajraj Rao, and a ZEE5 series directed by Sudhir Mishra. This busy phase in his career is hard-earned. The actor, with a two-decade-plus career behind him, remembers the time when he faced repeated rejections in the industry.
“I have rejected work, but more than that, people have rejected me. But I have never been insecure because I have focused on my growth as an actor. When I didn’t have a lot of screen work, I did theatre and taught at NSD [National School of Drama]. When you work on yourself and your craft, the fragrance [of your hard work] reaches people.”
Malayalam films are very popular in Sri Lanka, but no Malayalam film has recently released in theatres here-Prasanna Vithanage
9:06 AM
Paradise, winner of the Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film at the 2023 Busan Film Festival, is slated for a pan-India and worldwide release on June 28. The film sets the story of a Malayali couple’s travels through Sri Lanka against the backdrop of the country’s economic crisis of 2022
Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage speaks to Sunday mid-day about his award-winning film geared for release next week, about the island country’s appetite for Malayalam cinema and how mythology becomes a way of putting the the past and present in dialogue
Sucheta Chakraborty (MID-DAY; June 16, 2024)
In between screenings of his new film at the Sydney Film Festival, Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage speaks to Sunday mid-day about the making of Paradise, his first “Indian language” film produced by the Indian company Newton Cinema and presented by Mani Ratnam’s Madras Talkies, and with Indian leads and crew members, including cinematographer Rajeev Ravi and editor A Sreekar Prasad. Indian support for the film came at a time when the inflation rate in Sri Lanka stood at a staggering 64 per cent. Paradise enters Sri Lanka, literally and figuratively, through the perspective of two outsiders, unconnected with and indifferent to the country’s widespread economic turmoil, but ensures that it invades their lives in more ways than one. Edited excerpts:
Audiences in Sri Lanka will be watching the film for the first time. Are people going to the cinemas again? What kind of response are you expecting?
I must admit that the buying power of the middle class in Sri Lanka has been diminished. The theatre-attending numbers have come down compared to earlier times, but I am hopeful that Paradise will be seen by 1 lakh people at least in Sri Lanka. We have got 42 screens all over the island, so that is more than I had expected. Distributors and exhibitors are positive about the film because there is a buzz. That’s because Malayalam films are very popular in Sri Lanka, but no Malayalam film has recently released in theatres here. It’s a paradoxical situation. Pirated versions of movies are very popular. And Roshan [Mathew] and Darshana [Rajendran] also are popular in Sri Lanka. Plus, there is the novelty factor of a Sri Lankan director making a film in an Indian language [of course, there are Sinhala and Tamil, too].
You can win awards at festivals, but the theatrical release is the final litmus test. I have made this film hoping that it’ll touch spectators, so that has to be seen. I believe this is an audience-friendly film.
Given that you’ve had to contend with censorship in the past, are you worried in any way with this film?
Censorship in our part of the world [is of two types]. One has a face and the other doesn’t. The one with the face is the Public Performance Board [censor board of Sri Lanka]. Paradise has been passed in both countries without any cuts.
But then there is the [faceless] censorship of the mob that gets touchy about the way the filmmaker has depicted a country or a certain section. But the financial crisis and bankruptcy of Sri Lanka is a fact. No one can deny that there were shortages, that people were waiting in queues, and there was anarchy. I have not sensationalized anything. As a filmmaker, I have always tried to seek the truth behind the surface. I’ll stand by the film in any eventuality.
Why did you want to look at Sri Lanka’s economic crisis from an outsider’s perspective?
I wanted the main characters of this film to be indifferent to their surroundings. Sri Lankans at that time weren’t going anywhere. Even local tourism was not happening because there was a fuel crisis. Fuel was being supplied only to foreign tourists. But it is more than that. [The idea was to see whether those] who don’t have any connection to the crisis and are not even bothered by it could have a life-changing moment when faced with it. [The film] is about a man who’s upwardly mobile, who is ambitious and thinks that these social ills—the poverty, the injustice that is happening around him—will not affect him. But as a filmmaker, I’m saying, ‘you are living a lie. One day, s*** will hit the fan’.
You have spoken about how mythology is a big tourism industry. There is a strong sense of the exploitative nature of tourism in your film.
The mythology of The Ramayana is exploited not just by tourists, but also by politicians in both countries. The Ramayana may not be history, but it has a place in history. In Sri Lankan politics, there is talk of descending from Ravana, and then in parts of India, Rama is so important. So, there are many narratives among the modern people of Sri Lanka and India, too, regarding this mythology, and my film is about how history is always a dialogue between the past and the present. There is also the idea that modern life with its ambitions is such that instead of enjoying something for oneself, there is a need to show others that we are having fun. There is also a middle-class consumerist attitude where there is desire to exploit a place.
If you see people in buses or trains in Mumbai, Delhi or Colombo, people are glued to their mobile phones. We are forgetting ourselves. We are forgetting the dialogue with our inner selves. It has become a secondary thing. It’s because we want to achieve so many things in life. The mobile phone is so important because we are [always] waiting for something. I’m making a comment about how material things have become our God even while we are pretending to go on Ramayana tours.
On every set, people talk to me about Malayalam films-Roshan Mathew
8:34 AM
Roshan Mathew, whose movie Paradise is premièring at MAMI Film Festival, on juggling Malayalam and Hindi cinema
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 29, 2023)
By now, Roshan Mathew is accustomed to his films going to international festivals. Weeks after his relationship drama Paradise won accolades at Busan International Film Festival, it is set to première at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Mathew remembers instinctively being drawn to the Malayalam-Sinhala-English film, but he also had a concern.
“I liked the script, but to me, it also felt similar to the couple’s story in my Hindi debut, Choked [2020]. There are no [striking] similarities, except that both films explored the differences between a couple. But I liked the script so much that I wanted to do it anyway,” says the actor.
A meeting with revered Sri Lankan director Prassana Vithanage was all it took to assuage his concerns. “I realized he was intending to do something so different from what I was thinking that all of my concerns were invalid. He wanted to explore the relationship between this couple and the land they end up in.”
Mathew will follow up Paradise with the Hindi offering, Ulajh. The actor, who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema, is finding his feet in Hindi movies with Choked, Darlings (2022) and the upcoming Janhvi Kapoor and Gulshan Devaiah-starrer. The choice to work across languages brings with it the opportunity to collaborate with diverse actors and tell varied stories.
“Ulajh moves at a pace that I haven’t explored before; it is an out-and-out commercial film. Gulshan is an actor, who has inspired me with several of his characters. So, I was excited about him being there. Jahnvi is a dedicated, hardworking and passionate co-actor. She was extremely prepared. It’s lovely when you know your co-actor has one priority and that is to get the best version of the scene on that day.”
While working on Bollywood projects, it hasn’t escaped him how Hindi-speaking viewers have warmed up to Malayalam cinema. “Every time I am on the set of a Hindi project, lots of people walk up to me and instantly start talking about the Malayalam films that they have watched. It’s a great feeling. Malayalam cinema is in a great phase right now,” says the actor, who has featured in acclaimed Malayalam films like Kappela, Moothon, and C U Soon.
1 Year of Darlings: People want a spin-off of Shamshu and Zulfi-Shefali Shah
8:36 AM
As Darlings clocks a year of release, Shefali says she was offered only serious roles before the satire came her way
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 7, 2023)
In a film about domestic violence, Darlings (2022) director Jasmeet K Reen snuck in a tender love story between Shefali Shah and Roshan Mathew’s characters. As the dark comedy completed a year of its release on August 5, Shah, looking back on the Alia Bhatt-starrer, says the romantic track took her by surprise.
“I didn’t see it coming at all. The romance was short and sweet, and was handled with the sensitivity it required. People wanted a spin-off of Shamshu and Zulfi [Shah and Mathew’s characters respectively],” smiles the actor.
Shah has been enjoying the golden period of her career since Delhi Crime streamed in 2019. After shouldering the acclaimed crime drama, the actor took on myriad roles—be it a lonely wife who finds love in Ajeeb Daastaans (2021), or a house-help determined to seek justice for her daughter in Jalsa (2022). But she laments that her softer side isn’t explored enough.
“I carry an image. Directors have said that I am intimidating and serious, assistant directors are instructed to speak to me only when spoken to. But a few hours down the line, they realise I am a different person altogether. [That’s why] I was excited when Darlings came my way. Playing a wacko like Shamshu was fun. I am hoping it showed directors that I am open to comedy.”
Currently, the actor is in discussion for four projects. And where does Delhi Crime 3 stand? “It’s in development. I am terrified of going in front of the camera as Vartika.”
Check out Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew in Ulajh
8:28 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (May 10, 2023)
Junglee Pictures, known for its widely acclaimed and loved spy thriller Raazi, is excited to announce the cast of their upcoming film titled Ulajh, a stylised international thriller, set in the prestigious and intriguing world of Indian Foreign Services (IFS).
To be by directed by National award-winner Sudhanshu Saria, the makers have given us a glimpse into the high-stakes world of International Diplomacy and unveiled a talented ensemble cast headlined by Janhvi Kapoor, Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew, and also starring Rajesh Tailang, Meiyang Chang, Sachin Khedekar, Rajendra Gupta and Jitendra Joshi. The patriotic thriller is set to go on floors by the end of this month.
Ulajh follows the journey of a young IFS officer, belonging to a prominent family of patriots, who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf. The film is written by Parveez Shaikh and Sudhanshu Saria, with dialogues by Atika Chohan.
Janhvi says, “When I was approached with the script, it instantly attracted me because as an actor, I am constantly looking for scripts that make me break out of my comfort zone. My character and the story have so many layers, emotions and parameters, which are challenging and exciting. I am looking forward to working with such talented co-actors and a development studio like Junglee Pictures for the first time.”
Director Sudhanshu Saria shares, “Junglee Pictures has picked yet another original, bold and daring film to bring to audiences and I’m so thrilled they’ve entrusted me with the task of helming it. In Janhvi, the film has found its beating heart and it’s going to be a treat for audiences to watch her along with the powerhouse performers.”
Amrita Pandey, CEO, Junglee Pictures, adds, “We strive to develop and create films in collaboration with creative minds who have a fresh and distinct voice. Having Sudhanshu on board for a film like Ulajh is a perfect fit. His creative sensibilities are unmatched. He has added nuances and layers to each character making the story so gripping. Getting together such a talented cast and a dynamic team of experienced writers and technicians who are contributing their personal touch to the film has been an invigorating experience.”
A lot of prep went into acing the language in Darlings-Roshan Mathew
8:16 AM
Vying for Best Supporting Actor: Film trophy at mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards, Malayalam actor Roshan Mathew says pulling off Mumbaiyya Hindi in Darlings was tough
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; February 15, 2023)
Malayalam actor Roshan Mathew may be only two films old in the Hindi film industry, but he is enjoying his run. In Darlings, he was charming as Zulfi, who is always happy to help the mother-daughter duo — essayed by Shefali Shah and Alia Bhatt — in their endeavours. His earnest portrayal has earned him a Best Supporting Actor: Film nomination at the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist OTT Awards. Looking back at his role, Mathew says while the powerful script gave him a solid foundation, perfecting the Mumbaiyya accent proved tricky.
“In Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai [2020], I played a south Indian character, but Zulfi is a little more ambiguous. He might have his roots in Kerala, but he had to convincingly come across as someone who belongs to that locality [in Mumbai]. A lot of prep went into acing the language,” he shares.
Zulfi’s unexpected romance with Shah’s Shamshunissa was one of the highlights of Jasmeet K Reen’s directorial venture. Mathew credits his co-star for making it a love story that people rooted for. “Shefali is warm and has a great sense of humour. So, the sense of intimidation ended as soon as I saw her. We were comfortable at our very first reading session.”
Working with Shah, Bhatt and Vijay Varma made him raise the bar. “I was inspired by watching these three bring in their best for every shot.”
Juggling Hindi and Malayalam projects can’t be easy, but Mathew says it keeps him on his toes. “I enjoy when someone suddenly picks me up and puts me in a different context. Whenever I get comfortable, I like to be pulled out of that comfort zone.”
Cast your vote for the Hitlist OTT Awards
Roshan Mathew has been nominated in the Best Supporting Actor (Male): Film category for Darlings.
The other nominees are:
- Amit Sial (Qala)
- Anil Kapoor (Thar)
- Gajraj Rao (Maja Ma)
- Naseeruddin Shah (Gehraiyaan)
- Sikandar Kher (Monica O My Darling)
There are 16 categories that the public can vote in. Log on to www.radiocity.in/hitlistott to cast your vote.
Voting lines close on February 22.
It would take an extremely skilled actor to make 2 similar characters look different on screen-Roshan Mathew
8:04 AM
Sanjith Sidhardhan (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 1, 2022)
It’s been a busy past couple of months for Malayalam actor Roshan Mathew. While August kicked off with the release of Darlings — which got the Hindi audience to take notice of his craft — September was unrelenting too, with projects such as Cobra, Kotthu and Oru Thekkan Thallu Case coming out.
And while it’s common to feel overwhelmed by work pressure, Mathew says he is enjoying this phase as he is “consciously choosing to look at the positive side. “I enjoy the fact that the nature of survival in this industry keeps changing. You never get used to anything. By the time you think you have found a solution to something, your problems have completely morphed into something else,” he says, adding, “That way, it’s a really exciting process.”
Speaking further about the fragility of the industry, the actor adds, “On an everyday basis, it keeps fluctuating. One day, you are feeling confident and the next day, you feel like everything is so futile. It’s always about survival. That’s how I look at it, because any time I am working, I am doing it to get more work.”
One aspect that has stood out in his seven-year filmography is that the actor has never been typecast. “I always look for variety in the choices I make. I don’t want to take the chances of two characters ending up similar even when they are only slightly comparable on paper. It would take an extremely skilled, nuanced actor to make two similar characters look different on screen,” says Mathew, who will be next be seen in Chera and Gold.
There is nothing unconventional or out of the ordinary about our relationship in Darlings-Roshan Mathew
8:24 AM
Roshan discusses the romantic track between his and Shefali’s characters in Darlings
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; August 13, 2022)
A motley set of characters makes up the universe of 'Darlings'. While Alia Bhatt plays the much-in-love Badru who wises up, Shefali Shah essays her sharp-tongued mother Shamshu, and Vijay Varma, Badru’s abusive husband. In the midst of this, Roshan Mathew’s harmless Zulfi comes as a breath of fresh air, happy to help the mother-daughter duo as they hatch a plot against Hamza.
Mathew says he ensured that his character wasn’t too innocent for his own good. “I wanted to find the balance. He shouldn’t come across as a stupid guy who they are taking advantage of. He chooses to be with them, no matter what,” he explains.
Zulfi’s love story with Shah’s character is one of the highlights of the brave Netflix film. The actor credits director Jasmeet K Reen for beautifully handling the track. “There is nothing unconventional or out of the ordinary about this relationship. We weren’t saying it aloud. In the scene, he realizes that there is no way out, but to confess his feelings. [His initial hesitation] is because of society. You get judged if you do things that society does not consider normal, [but] he is honest in his love for Khala [Shah’s character].”
In his seven-year run so far in the Malayalam industry, Mathew has made a mark with his choice of films, from 'Moothon' (2019) to 'Kappela' (2020) and 'C U Soon' (2020). As he juggles Hindi and Malayalam cinema, his idea is to find powerful stories, regardless of the language. “I want to keep working in Hindi and Malayalam cinema. I don’t want to come here and do a film that could [be made] anywhere. It has to be a film that I wouldn’t get to do in Malayalam.”
"They provide narrative edge, grab eyeballs": Why regional stars are in demand on Hindi OTT
8:23 AM
As makers and content crossed cultural barriers to open up to talent beyond Bollywood, the past year saw stars from regional films take over the Hindi web space
BOMBAY TIMES (January 4, 2022)
RIGHT PERSON, WITH OTT WE HAVE AN OPEN FIELD TO CHOOSE TERRIFIC ACTORS WHO FIT THE ROLE: MAKERS
Hansal Mehta, who directed Pratik Gandhi in Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, says, “We (filmmakers) have always wanted to cast the right person for our shows/films, and because of OTT we now have an open field. Pratik was cast because he’s a terrific actor who also happened to be a Gujarati (like the character he played). Even The Family Man 2 used so many actors from the South film industries, which gave the narrative an edge. Sacred Games also used so many Marathi industry actors. It’s a great trend.”
Filmmakers believe that casting regional actors in OTT series basis their talent has been possible as there’s no pressure to cater to the box-office. Says Raj Nidimoru (of Raj & DK, creators of The Family Man), “Our series gave us the freedom to go beyond language. Priyamani, Samantha and Neeraj Madhav have been reintroduced to Indian audiences thanks to Hindi OTT. Films have certain restrictions in terms of box-office that OTT doesn’t, no one has to speak Hindi for the sake of it. Almost 50% of The Family Man 2 was in Tamil, but that didn’t hamper the series. Actors can express themselves the best when they get to be themselves and this will lead to people opening up to more talent from across India in the Hindi OTT space. ”
HINDI WEB SHOWS OFFER SCOPETO EXPERIMENT: REGIONAL STARS
Actors from regional industries may enjoy demi-god like stature that their theatrical releases bring them, but that hasn’t stopped them from taking the Hindi OTT route. Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who debuted in the Hindi web space this year, says, “As an actress, I want to push boundaries. Raji (her character in The Family Man) allowed me to explore a new dimension and I wanted to take this risk for my growth. This decision paid off and helped me get closer to a much wider audience and opened up new avenues.”
Venturing into Hindi OTT space has earned them a new fanbase, who are watching the actor’s regional content as well. Says Parambrata Chatterjee, “Many people have told me that after having watched my Hindi web shows, they are now watching my Bengali films with subtitles. This synergy allows actors from language industries to explore the Hindi content space.”
For regional actors, the medium doesn’t matter since the work culture is almost similar. Roshan Mathew adds, “It’s heartening that casting agents are now looking at actors from various regional industries for Hindi web shows. Now that Malayalam cinema has pan-India acceptance, actors from our industry are taken seriously. Having lived in Mumbai for several years, I am comfortable with Hindi and familiar with the shooting process. When I did Anurag (Kashyap) sir’s Choked, it did not feel any different than working in a Malayalam film.”
Most regional actors believe that since the core audience has shifted loyalty to OTT, the platform has become more important. Paoli Dam (below) says, “OTT is proving to be a gamechanger for regional actors — look how things turned out for Pratik Gandhi after Scam 1992. Audiences now want content-rich work and OTT is providing that, and us actors the scope to experiment with our craft.”
Amruta Subhash feels the amalgamation of industries “has made us do some out of the box work. Collaborations are leading to challenging creative opportunities.”
STREAMING SOON
The year 2022 will continue to have more regional heavyweights in the OTT space. Frontlining this trend will be Rana Daggubati set to star in a web original titled Rana Naidu alongside uncle and veteran actor Daggubati Venkatesh; Vijay Sethupathi in Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK’s next, tentatively titled show, Fake with Regina Cassandra (who also has Project Hawk and Rocket Boys in the kitty), Prithviraj Sukumaran is doing a Hindi web show directed by him, Trisha will appear in a Telugu show Brinda, to be dubbed in Hindi and Shrenu Parikh will star in Damaged 3.
Says Rana, “I was always interested in doing a web show, but didn’t know how to go about it or what story to tell. When I was offered the adaptation of Ray Donovan, I jumped at the chance. From the time I became an actor, I knew that there will be some story that Venky and I will tell together, something that’s not cliched but cool. This is going to be special.”
Regina Cassandra, who is set to mark her debut in Hindi OTT in 2022 with a slew of web shows, says, “With Hindi OTT shows, the makers have to reach out to a wider audience, so regional actors are courted by showrunners. It’s business at the end of the day. Thanks to OTT, there is no north-south divide anymore.”
— Inputs by Suhas Yellapantula, Rachana Dubey, Renuka Vyavahare, Anna Mathews, Shruti Jambhekar, Shreyanka Mazumdar and M Suganth
REGIONAL STARS IN HINDI OTT
- Samantha Ruth Prabhu (Tamil/Telugu): The Family Man2
- Neeraj Madhav (Malayalam): Feels like Ishq
- Roshan Mathew (Malayalam; below): Choked
- Parambrata Chatterjee (Bengali): Bulbbul, Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi, Black Widows and Aranyak
- Jisshu Sengupta (Bengali): Typewriter, Skyfire, Criminal Justice2:Behind Closed Doors
- Swastika Mukherjee (Bengali): Paatal Lok, Medically Yours and Black Widows
- Pratik Gandhi (Gujarati): Scam 1992- The Harshad Mehta Story
- Paoli Dam (Bengali): Bulbbul,Raat Baaki Hai
- Wamiqa Gabbi (Punjabi): Grahan
- Rinku Rajguru (Marathi): 200 Halla Ho, Hundred
- Aaditi Pohankar (Marathi): She, Aashram
- Amey Wagh (Marathi): Asur, Cartel
- Amrutha Subhash (Marathi): Bombay Begums
2020 has been unkind, but showed me success-Saiyami Kher
8:11 AM
Saiyami Kher comes into her own as she follows up Choked with Raj-DK's short film in Unpaused
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 21, 2020)
Having spent most of the lockdown in Nashik with family members who were "paranoid" about the Coronavirus, Saiyami Kher ironically found herself playing a frontline warrior in Raj-DK's short film in the Amazon Prime Video anthology, Unpaused. Titled Glitch, the film is set in a dystopian future where a vaccine has yet to be developed against the virus.
"Working on this brought me back to life. Raj and DK called me at the last minute. I love their work, so the call was enough to make me fall off the bed," laughs the actor, whose character falls in love with a hypochondriac who has cut off from the outside world for the fear of contracting the virus.
As much as she admires the director duo's work, Kher says the bigger draw was to portray a hearing-and speech-impaired character. "Last year, Roshan [Mathew, Choked co-star] and I were talking about playing such a character, and the universe made it happen. Ideally, I wish I had more time to learn the sign language, but how could I let the opportunity go? My school friends helped me prepare while we were driving down to Mumbai for the shoot."
Kher has had a good year, winning acclaim for her performances in Special Ops, Choked, Breathe: Into the Shadows, and now, Unpaused. Working with the likes of Raj-DK and Anurag Kashyap has assured her of her abilities. "Raj-DK are sensible filmmakers who say pointed [truths] in the garb of humour. They're similar to Neeraj Pandey [Special Ops director] in being non-dramatic on set. They know exactly what they are looking for, with an eye on the edit. The year 2020 has been unkind to all of us, but it has shown me success like never before."
Anurag Kashyap told me, 'you are part of my next'. Within hours, he had sent me the script-Roshan Mathew
8:10 AM
Thrilled to bag Anurag Kashyap's Choked, South actor Roshan says he struggled to stay mum about the film
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; June 4, 2020)
Malayalam actor Roshan Mathew shows little signs of nervousness ahead of his foray into Hindi cinema with the Netflix film, Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai. Instead, he is proud to "migrate to another industry" under the able guidance of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap."AK has a distinct way of working; he is a mad genius. As an actor, I was used to preparing and drawing out the character's journey. AK is instinctive and impulsive. He only wants you to be present in the moment," shares Mathew.
Best remembered for films like Aanandam (2016) and Koode (2018), the actor caught Kashyap's attention with his performance in Moothon (2019) that was co-produced by the latter. "He told me, 'you are part of my next'. Within hours, he had sent me the script."
That he was part of Choked was to be kept under wraps till the official announcement was made. Mathew admits he was itching to tell the world about his Bollywood foray. "When my friends and colleagues came to know about it, they said, 'You didn't tell us you're doing an Anurag Kashyap film'. I was overwhelmed by the congratulatory calls."
Check out the first look of Anurag Kashyap's Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai
8:25 AM
Sharing the first look of Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai, director Anurag Kashyap discusses why the Netflix film is close to his heart
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; May 19, 2020)
After Sacred Games and Ghost Stories, Anurag Kashyap has joined forces with Netflix to tell another powerful tale, Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai. The suspense drama, featuring Saiyami Kher and Malayalam actor Roshan Mathew, drops on the streaming platform on June 5.Through the story of Kher's character Sarita Pillai, a bank cashier who has to provide for the family while her husband Sushant struggles to make it as a musician, Kashyap delves into how greed and money can upend one's life. "The film is close to my heart. It is about relationships, and the precarious balance between truth, power and money. It is the story of a strong-willed, middle-class housewife who finds cash flowing out of her kitchen sink every night, and how this changes her life," says Kashyap.
Thrilled to collaborate with her favourite filmmaker, Kher says, "I thank Anurag for trusting me to bring Sarita to life. She is the everywoman — overworked and frustrated, yet tenacious and always scheming to build that dream life. Writer Nihit Bhave has beautifully woven the complexities of the middle-class family."
Mathew, who makes his Hindi cinema debut with the film, says it was exciting to play a defeated and suspicious character. "Anurag sir brought a unique kind of sensitivity to him," he adds.
Saiyami Kher teams up with Roshan Mathew for Anurag Kashyap's directorial venture
7:53 AM
Shooting for the film, which marks the Hindi debut of Malayalam actor Roshan Mathew, is currently on in Mumbai; film targeting to hit screens before the year-end
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 19, 2019)
On June 12, Anurag Kashyap took to Twitter to announce a “new company, new film, new beginnings…”. Now, Mirror has learnt that the filmmaker was hinting that he had quietly started shooting for his next directorial, which marks the Hindi debut of Malayalam actor Roshan Mathew and features Mirzya debutante Saiyami Kher as the female lead. The first schedule of the yet-untitled film, which will be shot in a three-month stretch, kicked off in Mumbai. “The entire story is set in the city and will be filmed in three months. Apart from the two leads, there is a strong ensemble cast in the film,” revealed a source close to the development.Confirming the news to Mirror, Saiyami said, “Yes, I am currently shooting for the film and it has still not sunk in that I am in an Anurag Kashyap film. It’s an understatement to say that I am excited to be a part of this project. I can’t really talk too much about my character or plot as of now.”
The actress made her acting debut in 2016 alongside Anil Kapoor’s son, Harshvardhan, in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Mirzya. She went on to do a Marathi film, Mauli, featuring Riteish Deshmukh as the lead. Roshan Mathew, on the other hand, is known for his performance in films like Aanandam, Koode, Viswasapoorvam Mansoor and Orayiram Kinakkalal.
Touted to be a drama with elements of thrill, the film is targeting a release before the year-end.
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