Fueled by dreams of overnight success, fame and fortune, there are a number of wannabes vying to get a toehold in tinsel town. Life for a debutant, passionate about cinema, may be about attending a multitude of auditions hoping to land a role that could give him/her an entry into films. Charlie Joe has been lucky in that his debut role will see him playing the lead in noted director/actor Balachandra Menon’s film Ennaalum Sarath in the title role of Sarath. At first glance, Charlie bears an uncanny resemblance to actor Antony Varghese of Angamaly Diaries. “Yes, I have been told that on several occasions ever since Angamaly Diaries released and we also have a lot of common friends who mention it. I have been approached by the public too mistaking me for Antony,” he says nonchalantly.
Charlie’s appearance aside, it was for his acting talent that Balachandra Menon decided to cast him. He mentions, “There was an audition held in November last year where every actor who came there performed well. Call it luck or the prayers of my dear ones, sir liked my acting and we met in Kochi. I was caught by surprise and happiness when I was told that I would be playing the title role.” Charlie reveals that the film is a college campus story that has its share of suspense and that his character is also a violinist in a college band.
Charlie’s springboard to the world of films was not a whim that developed overnight. He has been active in stage plays in his college days and reveals he has acted in serials too. The real reason for his interest in films lies closer home — his father who is a theatre actor, “I used to accompany him to his stage venues and that is where my interest grew,” he says. That interest has finally borne fruit through this role and Charlie does not have the words to describe his first experience.
He explains, “I thought Balachandra sir would be very serious but he was so very jolly and interacted with all of us so well. He used to explain exactly what he wanted in each frame. The scripting was done on the spot and improvisations too were impromptu. All these factors were a good learning experience for me! ” The shoot was held over a period of 65 days and those days never felt like work. He mentions, “Since it a campus-based story, there were a lot of youngsters who became my friends. I did not realise how time flew by.” Yes, the days have passed in a blur for Thrissur-based Charlie who has finished his B. Tech and also completed a software testing course. He has worked in Bangalore, but all the degrees and pay checks paled in front of his dream to become an actor. “Acting is my life,” he ends.
