The last five years have been eventful ones for Ashwin Kakumanu. As Ashwin puts it, “My career in the film industry has been a slow but steady climb.” Three of his films are getting released this year, including director Siva’s untitled film starring Ajith Kumar, Shruti Haasan and Lakshmi Menon. Recalling the first time Ashwin worked with Ajith in Mankatha , he says, “I was a newcomer, having done only a small role in Nadunisi Naaygal . Ajith was encouraging and supportive, giving me the right kind of advice to improve.
I learnt a lot during the making of Mankatha and ever since, I have been waiting for an opportunity to work with him. I grabbed the role when director Siva offered it to me.” But before that, the year will see the release of Zero , a supernatural thriller, which is different from the usual ones in this genre.
“Director Arun’s characters in Zero are well-etched and I play a social worker,” Ashwin says. Compared to some of my earlier films, the cast and crew are a young and energetic team and this has translated well on the screen.” Nedunchalai fame Shivada is paired with him in this film.
Ashwin’s next release will be Thiri, which is nearing completion. “I have a few more days of shoot, which includes songs. Directed by Ashok Amritraj, the film highlights a father-son relationship. I am paired with Swati. My parents are played by Jayaprakash and Anupama Kumar.” Besides these, Ashwin has just signed Thollaikatchi , directed by Sadiq Khan, who had earlier assisted directors A R Murugadoss and Lingusamy. Sadiq has also worked on Hindi projects such as Ghajini and Anjaan . Chandini Sreedharan is cast opposite him. “ Thollaikkatchi , which is yet to start full-time shoot, is a romantic comedy film with a social message. The screenplay is quite satirical in places,” Ashwin says.
