Supernatural tales have always spooked Hrishikesh.
Ironically, he’s debuting as a hero in one. Rum , a horror-heist thriller releasing today, sees Hrishikesh in a role very different from what he played Velai Illa Pattadhari , his first outing on the big screen.
“My first film was not just a big Dhanush film, but also a very successful one,” says the actor, who played the ‘Kolaveri’ star’s younger brother, “The recognition it gave me was more than what I could have asked for.”
Along with recognition came offers. About 20-25 of them. “I wanted my launch to be a well-thought-out one. For audiences to accept me as a debutant hero, it should not be an over-the-top characterisation,” he says.
Rum , he felt, was the one. He’s personally not a fan of the genre (“the couple of horror films I’ve caught, I’ve watched on mute”), but the way the elements of heist, action and thriller were weaved into the script appealed to him. “Sai, the director, studied filmmaking in Canada, and had written the script of Rum three years ago. He was so convincing in his narration that I knew this was it.”
Comedian Vivekh and Narain play vital roles in Rum ; the former is present throughout the film, while the latter plays a role with shades of evil. “Sai had written the character with Vivekh in mind. This is not just another comedy track for him. You’ll see the 90s Vivekh in today’s characterisation.”
But the biggest name of all, which is the reason many have even heard of the film , is Rum ’s music composer Anirudh. “The songs are already a hit, but the re-recording has elevated the film to a different level. However well you shoot a horror film, it’s the soundscape that makes all the difference.”
Hrishikesh has also completed his portions on VIP 2 in which he reprises his role. “It was like going back to family,” he says.
