Another star kid will make an entry to Mollywood. Pranav Rateesh, son of yesteryear actor Ratheesh, will mark his debut in Theeram, directed by Saheed Arafath. Pranav, who had a very interesting time on the sets, says he never dreamt of being in movies.
“I have known films since childhood. I did a few short films while in college as well. But, being an actor was never in my dreams. I never planned or worked for it. It was something that just happened.”
Director Saheed Arafath saw a short film of Pranav’s and thought he would be fit to play Ali, the protagonist in Theeram. “That’s how my stint in Mollywood happened,” says Pranav.
He will play Ali, an autorickshaw driver who falls for Suhara, played by Maria John. “It is a romantic movie and for me this is a great experience,” he says.
Pranav adds that he never really felt uncomfortable in front of the camera. “Maybe, it is my short film experience or the comfort level I had with the crew, it all went smoothly,” he says.
Though it will hit the screens only on July 21, Theeram has already marked its presence, thanks to the soulful music by composer Afzal Yusuf.
The movie, shot in Alappuzha and Kuttanad, also marks the debut of singer Armaan Malik in Malayalam.
Pranav says the popularity of the music has done the movie good. “We never expected the songs to become so popular. In fact, this has saved us a lot on promotions,” says Pranav.
His sister may have already earned a name in Mollywood through her debut Madhuranaranga (2015) and Lechmi, but Pranav says they don’t really talk cinema at home.
“My brother Padmaraj and sister Parvathy are already in the industry. But, we are not the kind who discusses cinema at home,” says Pranav, who is doing his graduation in Chennai.