Hrishikesh, who played the timid-yet-lovable younger brother in Dhanush’s Velaiyilla Pattathari (VIP), is back with a role “that’s certainly not as pavam ” in Rum . “ Rum is an ancient word which means verdict, like theerpu . It isn’t the name of the liquor like most people assume.”
It’s a horror film, he says, but one that will stand out even in this barrage of horror films. “I had listened to a lot of narrations, as it was very important that I don’t waste the platform VIP gave me. Some of the roles were too massy for a newcomer. But most of them were the same old brother roles. This was a script that clicked right from the start.”
The highlight of Rum is its music, which is being scored by Anirudh. “Of course, it helped that he’s my cousin. His coming onboard has become Rum ’s USP. But it’s not that he would have agreed to do any film just for me. He was excited about the script and it’s a bonus that he’s scoring a horror film for the first time.”
But he jokes that he has a bone to pick with his cousin. “I don’t think he knows how difficult it is to dance to his numbers,” he laughs.
Hrishikesh says he’d always wanted to direct a film as well. “I guess direction will have to a take back seat now.”
He also adds that he has never insisted on playing lead roles. “I enjoy playing character roles. My role in VIP has been very rewarding. I was touched when women came to me and said I’m just like their son after watching it.”
