After the likes of Vijay, Suriya, Vishal, Karthi, and Mahesh Babu — all Loyola College alumni who have made an impact in tinsel town — the gang now has another member!
Yet another Loyolite, Walter Philips, is marking his debut in Kollywood with Meendum Oru Kadhal Kadhai, a remake of Malayalam film Thattathin Marayatthu. “I did a cameo role as junior Prabhu in Ravi’s Unakkum Enakkum and a small role in Thirumanam Ennum Nikkah when I was young. Editor Mohan sir is our neighbour — and through him, the role landed in my lap,” he says.
Walter, who underwent training in Koothu-p-Pattarai before venturing out as an actor in MOKK, says that he used to be shy and reserved. “In my acting school, they use a holistic approach and teach silambam, folk dance, yoga, and fights, besides acting. It helped me overcome the fear of being in front of a camera,” he muses.
The actor who chose Thattathin Marayuthu over two other Malayalam film adds, “Malayalam films are closer to reality, and the filmmakers there go for experimental genres, whereas in Tamil it is mostly a commercial cocktail. Though it is safe for me to act in a remake and debut as a soft romantic hero, there’s also the danger of comparison with Nivin Pauly, the lead protagonist of TM.”
His co-star Isha Talwar never treated him as a newcomer. “She was very patient despite my repeated retakes. Being the producer of the film, my dad Jayachandran also felt that she was down to earth and never threw any tantrums demanding business class, a caravan, etc. Isha would travel with minimal assistants.”
