It was Shaji Kailas who broke the news on his social media wall, mentioning that his youngest son Rushin would be stepping in front of the camera as an actor through the film Thaakkol. He also posted some stills from the film which instantly took one back in time to the year 1993. That was the year a very pretty actor Annie donned a shirt and mundu and played a man in the film Ammayane Sathyam, setting the box office on fire. Decades later, the same innocence is mirrored in a plumper face which has not yet lost its baby fat.
A spitting image of his mother Annie, Rushin will be playing the childhood version of Indrajith in Thaakkol produced by Shaji. If anyone has any doubts about the compatibility looks of Indrajith and Rushin, a side by side comparison is all that is needed to understand why Shaji asked his son to step into those shoes. When Shaji first asked his son if he wanted to act, Rushin, studying in class IX, thought his father was joking. The irony here is that he comes from a family that is completely immersed in cinema. His father is a director and mother, an actor; his elder brother Jagan recently tried his hand at direction so it was only a matter of time before the question was popped to him.
The childish voice at the other end of the line laughs, “I have always been interested in films. Though I initially thought it was a joke, it was only later that I realised my father’s offer was serious. The director of the film Kiron Prabhakaran is someone I know since he is my father’s friend.” In the innocence of childhood, he states, “I was very tense during the first shot and slowly, when I got acclimatised to the crew and the director, it became easy. Kiron uncle used to explain every aspect to me and I had my father’s support.”
Of course, when you come from a family where cinema is an integral part, Rushin did not have to look far for advice or guidance. “Father used to advise me to go beyond what the director says and mom liked my acting while my brother used to explain how to face the camera,” he mentions. The young man, who is an avid movie buff, adds, “I have watched every single film of my parents. I like Narasimham from my father and Mazhayethum Munpe in which my mother acted.” So, does he plan to take up further acting offers? With a childish lisp, he answers, “If my parents agree! I have to pay attention to my studies too, but I would love to act.” The school boy of Lecole Chempaka is happy and excited about his debut.
