A character actor rarely gets a defining role. But director Pradeep Varma is certain that Achyuth Kumar will have one in Urvi, Pradeep’s debut directorial, which has Sruthi Hariharan, Shraddha Srinath and Shweta Pandit in the lead roles.
According to Pradeep, Achyuth Kumar has “rocked” in the antagonist role. “He has redefined a villain’s character,” says the director. “He brings out the negative shade of the character not through action or violence, but by laughing out at another’s pain. His character can only be compared to that of Joker in Batman. Even killing somebody gives him pleasure.”
Pradeep, who cannot stop praising the actor, says, “Achyuth’s talent has mostly been used in parts. This is probably the first time he has been given an opportunity to play an antagonist, and he is excellent. I was fortunate enough to engage that talent,” says Pradeep. His character will be the highlight of the movie, promises the director.
Achyuth gets into the skin of the character easily, says Pradeep. More than his appearance, it is his attitude that catches one’s attention. “I assure you that watching Achyuth Kumar as an antagonist will be a feast,” he says.
Apart from Achyuth, Bhavani Prakash will also be seen in a negative shade.
According to Pradeep, even she is “par excellence”. “I cannot say who was better than the other better because each and everyone, who is part of Urvi, has done an outstanding job. I feel blessed," he says.
The film’s editing is nearly done and will go for dubbing by this weekend.
Pradeep cannot slot the movie into any particular genre. “We discussed that quite a bit and not one person in the team could decide on which genre it fits into. I personally feel it belongs to all kinds of genres because it has various elements. I am happy for the way the film has turned out,” he says.
He had to drop a film mid-way earlier.
Gulaabi Street, which he had written and was to direct, had to be shelved last minute. So Urvi was a comeback debut and a way to fulfil his wish of making a film.
However, he has not yet given up on Gulaabi Street, says Pradeep. “I put in the same effort for it. Even that has been my child, like Urvi. I’ve held on to its script and I will take up that project in future.”
Urvi, produced by Ravi Prakash Bhat, has cinematography by Anand Sundaresha, music by Manoj George and stunts by Ravi Verma.