Kochi: It has been 10 years since he graced the Mollywood screens, but his dance moves in the hit song Lajjavathiye are still remembered, as also his performance as the angry, young college student in the film 4 The People. Bharath is once again back to Malayalam films and coincidentally he is playing the role of an engineering college student in the film Koothara.
The actor candidly admits that after 4 The People, he didn’t get roles that enticed him. “I was also completely occupied with my Tamil films, but when the script of Koothara was narrated to me, it completely pulled me in. The script and my character were interesting and it was also a dream come true to share screen space with the legendary Mohanlal.”
Bharath adds that Koothara is a colorful fantasy of three people who want to do something in life, and life teaches them some lessons.
Sharing screen space and interacting with Mohanlal has been the highlight of the film for Bharath, who says, “Lal sir has a great sense of humor and zero ego. To meet him and know him is an amazing experience.”
About his other co-stars Tovino Thomas and Sunny Wayne, Bharath shares, “When I started shooting, these two were unknown to me, but they turned out to be the best co-stars I have ever had! I was the only non-Malayali on the sets, but they made me feel so comfortable. We three hold the film together and the chemistry between us is very vital for the film. It is great that we gelled as a team and that translates on screen.”
One person who is very happy with Bharath’s Mollywood re-entry is his Malayali wife Dr Jeshly Joshua. The happily-married actor confesses, “Jeshly was keen that I act in a Malayalam film and since it happens to be a film with Mohanlal, she is waiting excitedly to watch my performance.” Jeshly helped him with his Malayalam pronunciations.
Bharath adds, “Though she is from Thiruvanathapuram and can speak Malayalam, she did her schooling in Chennai and went to Dubai. She is fluent in both Tamil and Malayalam. I can actually speak Malayalam, though it’s not as fluent as her Tamil.” Despite their busy schedules, the couple manages to balance work and personal life. “Whatever time we manage in between, we make sure that we spend quality time together. Thankfully, she likes my profession,” says Bharath.
Fitness and dance are Bharath’s passions, but he has a word of caution about the first. Though he sported a six pack in his film 555, he airs his views about the six pack fad, “Maintaining a six pack is a difficult affair, as one has to make many sacrifices and show disrespect to your body.” He adds, “For my six packs, I had to survive on eggs, chicken and apple for nine months. Right now, my focus is on having a fit body and trying to maintain it because I am seen as a role model.”
Dance is a long standing passion for Bharath and he makes sure that he finds time to indulge in it. “Dance is my USP and I need to be flexible. I started my career through dance and I keep myself updated on the latest moves. I would love to do a dance-based movie.”
Bharath is in talks for another Bollywood film after his Hindi debut Jackpot. Forthcoming films include, the Tamil film Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani, which is a comic role and Ezhu Kadal Thandi, in which he’s a rugby player. Bharath avers that right now comedy is trending in Tamil, and that every film industry goes through genre changes.
