He began his career as a hero in director Suryaprabhakar’s Tha in 2010, but director Radha Mohan turned actor Harish Uthaman into a bad guy with Gowravam. Looks like the move has proved to be lucky for him. In the recently released Pandiya Naadu, director Susindran has further highlighted this bad streak. To Harish’s delight, playing the villainous Bharani is attracting both curses and claps in cinema halls. Speaking to CE, the tall actor reveals that he’s looking forward to his stint as the baddie in three more upcoming movies.
Back from several theatre visits, Harish could barely conceal his excitement. “I was both scared and elated with the audience’s response!” he says with a laugh. “Viewers were cursing me in the crudest language during some scenes and clapping loudly when I got bashed up. Their reaction is my reward. I think Pandiya Naadu is a turning point in my career!” Harish gives full credit to director Susindran, “He’s an amazing director who can bring out the best in you. He enacted the scenes and made it easy for me as I just had to follow him.”
Apparently, the admiration is mutual. For, Susindran has signed on Harish for his next venture starring Vishnu and Sridivya, titled Veera Dheera Sooran. “It was a huge surprise when he told me I’m doing a negative role in his next film as well. I’m happy doing negative roles if directors feel that suits me best,” discloses Harish.
Strangely enough, though he started off as a hero, Harish always wanted to be a villain. He laughs, “Acting happened by chance when I met Suryaprabakar. I had a week off from my job as Flight Steward in British Airways. So I met him, thinking I could do a small role in that one week. I always felt I had the eyes, features and build of a villain. But he surprised me completely by casting me as hero in Tha!”
Looks like directors agree with Harish and are lapping up the new villain in Kollywood. He plays the big don Mithun Chakrobarty’s bad son in newbie Satya Prabhas Pinisetty’s Yaagavarayinum Naa Kaaka. The film stars Satya’s brother Aadhi. In December, he joins the unit of director Magizh Thirumeni’s untitled film, co-starring Arya. About the future he says, “Small or big, I want every character I do, to leave an impact. My role model is Raghuvaran.”
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