In the past 14 years, Aju Varghese acted in over 130 films and turned a producer and distributor. He is now debuting in Tamil.
Published Jul 18, 2024 | 11:32 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 18, 2024 | 12:34 PM
Malayalam actor Aju Varghese gets candid about his journey in films. (Instagram)
Malayalam actor Aju Varghese has been in the industry for about 14 years. He debuted with Malarvadi Arts Club (2010). The film also marked the directorial debut of Vineeth Sreenivasan.
Over the years, he acted in more than 130 films. He also runs a production-cum-distribution company named Funtastic Films, co-owned by Dhyan Sreenivasan and Visakh Subramaniam.
The actor made his way into the filmdom through comedy roles. He also did cameos in a couple of films. However, he proved his mettle as a versatile actor by taking up challenging roles, including negative characters.
Aju Varghese became a narrator for some films and acted in three web series. He is all set to debut in Tamil cinema, too. Further, he did a couple of short films and made special appearances in television shows.
Currently basking in the success of Gaganachari, directed by Arun Chandu, Aju Varghese speaks with South First about his journey in the world of cinema.
Q. Congratulations, Gaganachari became a phenomenal hit. Director Arun Chandu mentioned that you asked him to work on a script similar to that of Kilukkam (1991) for Gaganachari. What made you say that or how do you conceive a script?
Aju Varghese in ‘Gaganachari’. (Facebook)
A. The overwhelming response to our film from audiences across Kerala made us realise there are more takers for films like Gaganachari than we thought.
I don’t exactly remember if and when I asked Chandu to take a reference from Kilukkam. But, if I did that, it must have been a reflex counter when Chandu asked me about Gaganachari’s story (he smiles). I usually conceive only my role in a film. I believe the script is a director’s vision and I am a tool.
Q. What were your thoughts before the release of Gaganchari, where you played an important role?
A. I only had positive thoughts about the film. We know that we made an experimental movie and it may work or not work. But we didn’t want the audience to misunderstand it.
After the launch of the teaser, trailer, and song clips, and during the promotional interviews, we reiterated that the Gaganachari was a mockumentary. We never wanted the audience to feel that they were misled. I think this strategy worked in favour of the movie.
I knew I had a good role and was longing to do it. Chandu really worked hard to make me do this role.
Q. Starting from Malarvadi Arts Club to Gaganachari, how do you consider your journey in cinema?
A. Malarvadi Arts Club taught me many lessons and helped me grow in the industry and my life.
I’ve been lucky in not just cinema but my overall journey in life. I had the blessings of god and my teachers and of course, the goodwill of people. I’m not being humble but this is my reality.
Q. You played serious characters in Kamala (2019), Helen (2019), and Kerala Crime Files (2023). In Helen, your role had negative shades. Was it intentional to do varied characters?
In ‘Kerala Crime Files’ web series. (Facebook)
A. It was the time when I felt I needed to move out of my comfort zone. I got feedback from the audience that I was being typecast and I always value their opinions. So, I was looking for films that offered me challenging roles.
Vineeth Sreenivasan and Noble Babu Thomas were making Helen at that time. I casually asked Noble, who is also my friend, if I could be a part of the movie and he agreed.
I felt that the negative character in Helen could be a plus point in my career since I was only doing comedy roles until then. I thought I needed a negative role to break that stereotype tag.
In Kamala, Ranjith Sankar sir offered me the role since I’ve worked with him on several films. When he asked me to act in his film, I trusted him and took up the role. I did this earlier too. I’m more of a director’s actor.
Q. Scriptwriter Aashiq Aimar told me that you were well prepared to play a police officer in Kerala Crime Files. How challenging was it to do a central character in a web series?
A. Kerala Crime Files just happened. I found my second mentor Ahammed Kabir (director) because of it and got a chance to learn more from him. The process of unlearning and learning happened on the sets of the web series.
I readily welcomed the inputs from Aashiq Aimar, Ahammed, and Jithin (cinematographer). I also considered the opinions and ideas of others about my character and played it accordingly.
Q. What according to you is more challenging—comedy roles or serious ones?
A. Every time I face the camera, I have this fear of whether I can give my best. As an actor, I’m low on confidence levels. Hence, I find all my roles equally challenging.
Q. You are now part of Prabhu Deva and AR Rahman’s Moonwalk. Tell us about your Tamil films.
A. My Tamil debut is directed by Ram sir and stars Shiva and Grace Antony in the lead roles. It is Ram sir’s next after Nivin Pauly’s Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai.
Our untitled movie recently completed the dubbing work and is in the post-production stage. It was at this time that I got a call from Behindwoods to work on their new film, Moon Walk. It brings together AR Rahman and Prabhu Deva after 25 long years.
These two films have given me a good experience and I am grateful for that.
Q. Are you interested in doing more non-Malayalam films? In that case, what will be your criteria in choosing your roles?
Aju Varghese will next be seen in two Tamil films, including Prabhudheva’s ‘Moon Walk’. (Instagram)
A. Indian cinema has no language barrier anymore. Hence, I’m keen to act in other language films. I want to explore different characters in non-Malayalam films, too. And, I don’t have any criteria for choosing roles.
Q. You have evolved as an actor in the past 14 years. You’ve also said you are not a method actor. How do you think an actor can grow out of his comfort zone?
A. Yes, I am not a method actor but I doubt if I am on the right path of acting. An actor needs the right opportunities to move out of one’s comfort zone and for that, s/he needs a medium. Merely acting in front of a mirror doesn’t help.
S/he should get a space to perform and that’s the primary step for growth. Besides talent, an actor must be willing to explore and push one’s limitations.
Q. Tell us about your debut as a singer in Guruvayoor Ambala Nadayil (2024).
A. I am technically not a singer because that song was recorded with technical support and repeated sittings. I don’t belong to music. But it was a dream-come-true moment for me.
Q. You said Vineeth Sreenivasan is your mentor, though you both are of the same age. How has Vineeth mentored you in your career?
A. Vineeth Sreenivasan has been a good friend. But, at some point, he became my mentor. The question of how he mentored me doesn’t have any relevance. I became a part of the industry because of Vineeth.
Q. How do you take trolling? Vineeth’s Varshangalkku Shesham (2024) was targeted by cyber trolls after its OTT debut.
A. I take cyber trolls or any kind of trolls lightly. It’s a criticism with humour. We need to take the positive aspects from their statements and leave the rest.
For instance, a wide spectrum of audiences from a schoolchild to an 80-year-old watches films in theatres and on OTT platforms. But only one-third or one-fourth of these people are active on social media and they post reviews and comments. Had the other section of audiences been active on social media, there would be a balance.
But, if the reviews and criticism are genuine, you can take it. I am what I am today because of such reviews and responses laced with constructive criticism.
Q. You have a good number of friends in the Malayalam industry, including Dhyan Sreenivasan, Nivin Pauly, and Visakh Subramanyam. How have your friendships helped in making (producing) films?
On the sets of ‘Varshangalkku Shesham’. (Facebook)
A. Friendship has played an important role from my first film Malarvadi Arts Club to the latest, Gaganachari.
From the films we produced like Love Action Drama (2019), Sajan Bakery (2021), and Prakashan Parakkatte (2022) to the ones we distributed like Helen and Philips (2023), everything was possible only because of these friendships.
Q. What’s your take on the current phase of the Malayalam industry, which delivered consecutive super hits, including Gaganachari, in the past six months?
A. I am truly thankful to the audience. Their recognition gives us actors and technicians positive hope to move forward.
Q. What are your future projects as an actor and a producer?
A. I’ve two web series coming up on Disney+ Hotstar—Kerala Crime Files 2 and Love under Construction, headlined by Neeraj Madhav. I am playing a guest role in one of the shows.
I am also part of Tovino Thomas’s Ajayante Randam Moshanam and Identity, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, Sharaf U Dheen’s Hello Mummy, Arjun Ashokan’s Anand Sreebala, Swargam, and Jeethu Joseph’s Nunakuzhi.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
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