Actor Prasanna is on the verge of completing his first Tamil film after tying the knot with Sneha early this year. The film, a remake of the Malayalam super hit Traffic , features several other stars such as Cheran, Sarath Kumar and Radhika.
Says Prasanna: “The film, directed by Shahid, is tentatively titled Chennaiyil Oru Naal and I play a doctor who dotes on his wife. Traffic has won awards as well as critical acclaim. Steering clear of onscreen clichés such as the lead pair running around trees, the film is centred on a heart transplant.”
The actor, known for his careful choice of roles, seems to have picked another good role.
Talking about how he landed it, Prasanna says, “I had watched the film even before this role came to me. I was mulling over the offer as I was looking for a script that would allow me to play the lead. That’s when Listin Stephan, producer of the Malayalam film, met me and explained why he wanted me to essay this role. And I agreed.”
Great rapport with Cheran
Prasanna shares a great rapport with actor-director Cheran (Remember Muran ?) Cheran not only acted in the film but also produced it. Now, the friends are coming together once again for Chennaiyil Oru Naal .
Says Prasanna: “Our friendship goes back to the days of Azhagiya Theeye . He watched the film and offered me a role even before its release. That was the time his Autograph was running successfully. For some reason, that project didn’t take off. Now I am happy working with him in Chennaiyil Oru Naal .”
Shooting of Chennaiyil… is almost over. “Just a song sequence remains to be canned. The makers are planning to release the film in December,” informs Prasanna, who will next be working on Venkat Prabhu’s Biriyani .
In Venkat Prabhu’s Biriyani
“Venkat is again close to me. We became friends while participating in a fund-raising programme organised by The Banyan. I had wanted to work with Venkat ever since and when his Chennai 600028 was to go on floors I wanted to be part of it. However, Venkat pointed out that it was a film for newcomers, and I, an established artiste, would not fit in. Unfortunately, when he wanted to cast me in Mankatha , I couldn’t take it up because of date problems. Now, his Biriyani has come my way. All I can say at this point is I play an important role in it.”
After Biryani , Prasanna is to work with Rajan Madhav, who directed him in Muran . “Both Rajan and I have enormous trust in each other. A good director is one who can spot an artiste’s strengths and exploit them. Rajan knows my strengths. We have titled the film Ula . I have only heard the storyline. I am sure he will come up with an impressive script. He has been working on it for the last eight months now. We intend to start work on the multi-starrer in December.”
What does the actor intend to do after Ula ? “I am in talks with another group for a project that may happen simultaneously with Ula . However, nothing has been firmed up as yet. Once that’s done, you will be the first to know,” he smiles.
