It was Santhanu Bhagyaraj who was initially approached by Sasikumar to play Paraman in ‘Subramanaipuram’. Since the actor was unable to be a part of the film due to ‘unavoidable circumstances’, the director himself donned the greasepaint and played the role of a Madurai-based youth.

Almost after two years, Santhanu got a similar opportunity, and he was not ready to say no this time. We are talking about ‘Aayiram Vilakku’, in which the son of veteran director Bhagyaraj, is playing a Madurai youngster.

“Thanks to director Hosimin, I am playing Gopal, a local from Madurai. I did a lot of homework for this film. I went to Madurai and spoke to a lot of people there and learnt their slang. Even for dubbing, one of the director’s friends, who is from Madurai, accompanied me,” Santhanu says.

On acting with a veteran like Sathyaraj, he says, “Though I know him as my dad’s friend and my friend Sibi’s dad, this is the first time for me to stand in front of the camera with him. Despite being a seasoned actor, he asked me to treat him like a newcomer once the camera was switched on.”

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