Actor Nivin Pauly did not quite expect what was to come while stepping into a rather boxy room, bursting at the seams with youngsters, at Udaya Colony near Kadavanthra here on Monday evening.
His entry was met with rapturous cheers and ear-splitting wolf whistles, as little children clung to windows, filming their idol through mobile phone cameras.
In her teens, Arya wanted to know the young star’s favourite heroine with whom he felt romantic with. Though he was stumped, Nivin wriggled out of the tight spot, saying that he never got romantic beyond a point and perhaps such a favourite was yet to happen.
The actor was the chief guest at a function to mark the end of a four-day camp organised by the voluntary group Anbodu Kochi for underprivileged children in the city. His presence was only fitting since the camp was named ‘Muthe…Ponne...’ after the lines of a popular song from his recent film Action Hero Biju .
While his initial address was drowned out in the excitement of youngsters who applauded every word that he spoke, the interaction that followed was the high point.
Young Ambady was blunt and simply asked the actor’s age. Nivin responded that he would turn 19 this October, leaving the audience in splits. Another boy wanted his idol to twirl his moustache, which Nivin skilfully evaded by saying that he was yet to reach the stature to do that.
Suryanandana wondered whether Nivin had dreamt of acting from his childhood. “I always loved movies but the passion grew when I grew older,” the actor said.
Vineetha was way too shy when given an opportunity to ask the star a question. She merely shook hands with him and left.
When youngsters demanded the actor to sing, he invited them to sing along and the children did a fabulous job rendering the song ‘Muthe… Ponne…’
The actor posed for a selfie with the children before leaving the venue.
“The camp was held to give talented youngsters among the underprivileged an equal opportunity. We plan to organise similar camps in slums across the city to create a talent pool and extend them a handholding to pursue their dreams,” said District Collector M.G. Rajamanickam, who conceived the idea. Ernakulam Vigilance SP Nishanthini R. was also present.
