Fahadh Faasil believes that not his appearance, or his connections to the film industry (his father is legendary director Faasil), but his performance in the role speaks for him.
In a long interview to Ananda Vikatan, the actor spoke about his entry to films, his early performances, his complete trust in the director, and his role in Maheshinte Prathikaram, and his upcoming Tamil films Velaikaran, and Aneethi Kathaigal among others. The interview, which has considerable editorial commentary over and above Fahadh’s answers, is in Tamil but some translated excerpts below:
On missing out the Best Actor Award for his role in Maheshinte Prathikaram
“I look at the director at the end of every shot. If he smiles, I am happy. I won’t say I don’t want awards. If they’re ready to give it to me, I am happy to receive it. But, if Vinayagan (of Kammatipaadam fame) had acted in Maheshinte Prathikaram, it would have been a greatly different film, would have been much better. Even 10 Fahadh Faasils wouldn’t have matched a Kammatipaadam’s Vinayagan. He is the best match for this award.”
On his entry into Malayalam cinema
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Fahadh says he wasn’t entirely happy with the initial phase of his career. He calls it a failure, (or perhaps Vikatan does, extrapolating from his answers). He says, “If they’d made Maheshinte Prathikaram then, with my understanding and learning, and my then acting experience, the film would have failed. ”
On his acting, and his appearance
“I fully put myself at the disposal of one person: The director. I entrust myself to him. If there’s something I cannot do, I admit it myself. The director knows how much work to extract from me. Which means, beyond my appearance, my acting speaks for me.”