Roopesh Peethambaran will soon start shooting for Tom Emmatty’s Oru Mexican Aparatha, marking his comeback as an actor. The identity he gained from the first role he played (Mohanlal’s childhood in Sphadikam) is yet to fade, but Roopesh is convinced this is going to be a perfect comeback. In a tete-a-tete with Express, Roopesh talks about playing a shady character in Oru Mexican Aparatha and how he wouldn’t shy away from acting, provided he gets the right script.
On Oru Mexican Aparatha’
The promo song of the movie has already made the right noise and there is too much hype associated with the project. Tom Emmatty, who assisted me in my directorial venture, You Too Brutus, narrated the script to me which I liked a lot. But, then I asked him to find an actor who has poster value, but Tom was insistent that I play the character. Later, I too was convinced by the characterisation and felt this would be the perfect story to make a comeback as an actor. Oru Mexican Aparatha is a campus fun movie. The promo song we shot is a dream sequence in the movie, but it is not a period movie at all. Oru Mexican Aparatha is set in the early 2000s when campus politics reigned supreme. I play Roopesh, a KSU leader and the villian, who uses his iron fist to establish his dominance, while Tovino Thomas plays the hero.
Cutting the flab
The promo song, ‘Katta Kalipp’, was well received, but I had a rude shock when I saw the song. I didn’t look like a student, rather as a professor. So, I decided to get a makeover, and shed the extra pounds. I followed a rigorous workout regimen under trainer Shyjen Augustine. I had already told him in the beginning that I didn’t want to beef up, rather, shed the extra pounds. So, it was a relief to lose 20 kilos in two months. I wanted to give everything I could for the movie.
Acting career
I might have directed two movies - Theevram (2012) and You Too Brutus (2015) - but I am an actor first. I know quite well that people still see me as the “boy who played Mohanlal’s childhood in Sphadikam.” And, I am just proud of it as it was such a cult movie and people still remember me. It is for the same reason that I want to do only characters that counts. Now, that I have lost weight and shaped up, a lot of offers are coming my way (laughs) but let us see how Oru Mexican Aparatha does.
Directorial next
Talks are on for my next, but nothing has been finalised. I don’t believe in doing movies back-to-back, and the box office doesn’t influence me. But, at the same time I believe in earning profits to my producer too. I love movies and it is my passion and that’s why I take time for every movie.