Fahadh Faasil on Pushpa: Fahadh Faasil’s latest film ‘Aavesham’ is doing wonders at the box office. The actor, who is known for his exemplary work in Malayalam cinema, was also a part of ‘Pushpa: The Rise’ which made Allu Arjun a pan-India superstar. The film became a sensation across the country but Fahadh, who played SP Bhanwar Singh Shekawat, in the film believes that the film, despite its humongous success, didn’t do much for him.
Fahadh says, 'Pushpa did nothing for me'
In a conversation with Film Companion, when asked whether Pushpa made him a pan-India star Fahadh replied, “No, I don’t think Pushpa did anything for me. I tell Sukumar sir that. I don’t have to hide it. I have to be honest. I am doing my stuff here. No disrespect to anything. People expect magic from me after Pushpa… no. It’s pure collaboration and love for Sukumar Sir. My stuff is here (Malayalam cinema). Very clearly, my stuff is here. That’s one.”
He then added that the Hindi film industry has excellent actors like Vicky Kaushal, Ranbir Kapoor, and Rajkummar Rao. “Two, it doesn’t get to me because many friends and I here think and believe that Vicky Kaushal is the find of the decade. Rajkumar Rao is one of the finest actors India has ever produced. Ranbir (Kapoor)… I mean… the best actor in the country. So, I don’t know what they see in me.”
Fahadh on the growing popularity of Malayalam cinema
He also said he keeps wondering why non-Malayali people are watching his films or connecting to his performances.
“I was surprised that people are following films from here… they are seeing Kumbalangi Nights and Trance. And I kept wondering about the connection and what they are identifying with. Even now I believe it is the art form they are connected to more than the performances or the performers. So, that is very exciting. For me, I don’t believe that Pushpa would change me or it would take me to another… No, I don’t believe that,” he told Film Companion.
On being a pan-Indian actor
Refusing to call himself a pan-India actor, Fahadh said, “No. I am just an actor here. I have nothing to do with pan-India and whatever. I just do things that I believe in. The film should do business, that’s secondary. But the film that I do here… I mean I can never do it anywhere else. I can easily set up a film in Tamil, but everything will fall into place except the idea. I assume that will be the case in Hindi as well.”
He also shared that he discusses films with Karan Johar, Vicky Kaushal, and Rajkumar Rao, calling it the pan-India he ‘likes’. “I love that bonding. Nothing beyond that,” he said.
Fahadh’s film Aavesham has collected Rs 145 crore worldwide till now.