KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian actor Sharath Nair, popularly known as Shabby, is set to make his mark in Kollywood with a coming project alongside renowned actor Sivakarthikeyan.
His entry into the Tamil film industry marks a significant milestone, not just for himself, but also for the Malaysian Tamil film sector and the broader Malaysian-Indian community.
Having wrapped up the third filming schedule, the 29-year-old, originally from Batu Caves, Selangor, shared his reflections on shooting in India during an exclusive interview at Wisma Bernama, recently.
“Shooting in India was a wonderful experience; I had a great time with my co-stars,” he said.
India is familiar territory for him, as he embarked on his academic journey there at the age of 16, pursuing visual communication at Loyola College in Chennai, India.
Shabby attributes his ability to overcome language barriers with ease to his mother’s Tamil background, who hails from Palakkad, India. She facilitated seamless communication during his time in India, and thanks to her influence, he effortlessly adapted to the local slang, ensuring a smooth shooting experience.
Reflecting on his time on set, he commends actor Sivakarthikeyan for his exemplary punctuality and down-to-earth demeanour.
He respects the actor’s approachability and sincerity, noting that Sivakarthikeyan generously shares his insights on overcoming challenges and demonstrates a genuine interest in Malaysian television shows and movies.
Furthermore, Shabby believes he has a responsibility to his fans to fulfil his career aspirations, viewing opportunities as a way to express gratitude for their support, and desires to explore a broader spectrum of roles and genres in the future.
“I aspire to play various roles in the future, such as a superhero, a heart-warming romantic character, and a complex villain similar to Prithviraj’s role in Kana Kanden,” he added.
Meanwhile, he emphasised the importance of leveraging social media in current times, acknowledging that unfortunately it can sometimes take a negative direction.
“In today’s social media landscape, posts celebrating achievements may receive a modest number of likes and comments, while those containing vulgar or inappropriate content tend to generate significantly higher engagement.
“The comments section on such posts often becomes a breeding ground for mockery and trolling, leading to various issues in this current era,” he observed.
He also pointed out that talented individuals may be overlooked if they have fewer social media followers, and even when they earnestly create content, it may not reach the audience as effectively as content created by influencers.
Reflecting on the Malaysian Tamil film industry, he acknowledged significant improvements but suggested that further enhancement could be achieved by recruiting specialists or talented individuals for every department, including editors, graphic designers and visual effects artists, among others.
He also encourages producers to trust in the abilities of young actors, directors and crew members, as this confidence can inspire the development of influential roles and films.
“This support will ultimately broaden the industry’s influence and appeal in the future, as youngsters possess the skill to analyse, criticise and troubleshoot films, ensuring their success and contributing to the growth of the industry,” he said.
Since 2012, Shabby has been a prominent figure in Malaysian cinema, initially making a name for himself through short films before transitioning to his debut feature film Kaliyugha in 2013, directed by S.T. Bala.
Shabby has made significant contributions to the industry, featuring in noteworthy films like Pulanaivu, directed by Shalini Balasundaram. His latest project, Rajathanthiram: The Piano, directed by Dinakaran and Aaron Rao, further cemented his presence in the industry.
He has also demonstrated his versatility by delving into Malaysian Malay films, notably appearing in Telekinesis, directed by Syafiq Yusof, thus showcasing his ability to excel in diverse cinematic environments.
Furthermore, Shabby’s talent has extended to television, featuring in numerous Astro series including Manmadha Bullets, Mente, Jeeyum Neeyum and Sivanthu Pochu Nenje. His roles in series like Manameh Ketkava and Rasika Rusika underscore his versatility and commitment to storytelling across various mediums.
Shabby has expanded his skill set as a programme announcer, serving as an assistant director for three serials, explored dance as well as graphic design, and aspires to become a producer, aiming to nurture budding talents and empower them to thrive in the film industry.
Currently, he is involved in five projects, with three finalised, including the ongoing movie with Sivakarthikeyan, while discussions are underway for the remaining two. – April 9, 2024