Born in Sri Lanka, this Sri Lankan Tamilian actor, found himself at the crossroads of an unforeseen invitation to step into the realm of acting. At the age of 24, a chance collaboration on an album song set ablaze the sparks of Tharshan’s passion for acting. Faced with the choice of a stable job in India or the pursuit of his newfound passion, Tharshan chose the latter. This resilience led him to small roles in commercials and films, ultimately landing him on the influential platform of Bigg Boss, altering the trajectory of his career. His latest work,’ Naadu, faced challenges during the shoot in the Kolli Hills, and his candid approach to sensitive topics, paints a vivid picture of his evolution.

Here’s Tharshan with Provoke Lifestyle for a candid conversation.

When did you decide that you want to become an actor?
At 24, amidst a career in modelling, I encountered a turning point when a junior approached me to act in an album song. This sparked my interest in acting, leading me to contemplate a career shift. Aware of the time constraints with a potential job in India, I faced a do-or-die choice between pursuing acting or maintaining employment. Recognising my initial shortcomings in acting, I dedicated three years to honing my skills. Upon moving to Chennai to pursue acting, I encountered resistance from my family and relatives who opposed my decision to leave a secure job. But my friend Gajan encouraged me to pursue my dream. This journey eventually led me to small roles in commercials and films, culminating in a transformative experience on Bigg Boss, which changed the trajectory of my career.

Could you provide insights into your recent film “Naadu” and share some of your experiences working on it?
I felt a bit nervous rather than excited about the release of ‘Naadu’. It’s a common feeling we all experience. When I initially sought a change in the film industry, I couldn’t anticipate how it would feel during the release. It’s akin to the nervousness we had while waiting for the results of our final board exams. Director Saravanan, much like Director Bala, is not easily satisfied, and the correction process has been ongoing for the last six months.

Emotional scenes were a recurrent theme, reflecting the profound emotional depth of my character throughout the film. The director’s unconventional approach included diverse settings for acting, such as a hall, in front of a house, or on a bustling street, meticulously monitoring my skin tone under varying lighting conditions. Rejecting any artificial adjustment through makeup, Saravanan subjected me to stand under the unyielding sun. The meticulous preparation extended to standing on the beach, ensuring an authentic skin tone before the commencement of the shoot.

What were the challenges you found during the shooting of your latest movie ‘Naadu’ ?
The challenges during filming were harder for the light and production team rather than for myself. On certain occasions, the director would instruct the light team to shift lighting setups from one mountain to another, adding to their workload. There was a scene where I had to ascend a mountain, and the lightmen were burdened with carrying a significant amount of equipment. I even carried two lights to ease their load. Experiencing this firsthand made me realize the extent of the challenges they faced.