Just the name is enough to invoke awe, respect. That’s Tamil director Shanmugha Raja, popularly known as Mysskin, who created a new idiom of filmmaking, showing the dark, gloomy and often realistic elements in his movies. Many of his films served as launch pad for actors, with Mysskin himself appearing in movies like Nandalala and Onaayum Aattukkuttiyum, with both winning praise from all quarters.
If in Chittiram Pesudhadhi, he made a star out of Malayalam actor Narain who debuted in it, in the gripping Anjathe, he brought to light the acting prowess of Malayalam actor Ajmal Ameer, who made his Tamil debut with the film. Now, Mysskin will be introducing Maitreya and Tanya in his yet untitled film, after he wraps up Savarakathi and Thupparivaalan—which has actor Vishal in the lead. While Maitreya is the son of the film’s producer Raghu Nandan, Tanya is the granddaughter of veteran actor Ravichandran.
Nandan had earlier been a financier, credited with movies such as Captain Prabakaran, Chinna Gounder, Chinnathambi and Sembarathi (which launched actor Prashant). Talking about the film, Nandan says, “My son introduced me to Mysskin. I had done research on parapsychology and I had kept a record of my dreams as I am a dream interpreter. Mysskin too has been interested in psychology.”
The handsome lad is being launched by his own accord. “It was my dream to be directed by Mysskin sir. I gave my photo through a friend, and in two days, I was called for a screen test and two hours later, I was called by sir who told me I had been selected. I was pleasantly surprised to know that I’ll be the hero. It was only after I took my father to meet Mysskin sir that he decided that he would produce the movie.”
The actor, who transited from his original name Shyam to Maitreya, courtesy the director who felt that the name emits positive vibes, says, “I wish to do films with Mysskin sir for all times like Kamalahasan and KB sir did together.”
As for the heroine Tanya, who has been pursuing MA in Human Resource Management at the Madras Institute of Social Work, it’s been a year since she started modelling. She had been handpicked by Mysskin on beholding her picture. “Sir saw my photo and called me for a screen test. I am delighted to be in sir’s movie, I need not know even the story or my role,” gushes the actor, who’s well versed in classical dance.
Pooling their trust in Mysskin should ensure handsome dividends for these starry-eyed debutants.