One thing actor Nakul is obsessed with since childhood is films of martial arts legend Jackie Chan. “I’ve watched every film of his, sometimes back to back. As a child I would try out all his martial art moves and memorised each one of them,” claims the actor.
Little did he dream that his obsession would help him later in his career as it did in Naan Rajavaaga Pogiren (NRP).
Nakul plays a kickboxer in this film, which is produced by VLS Udhyayam Productions and directed by Prithvi Rajkumar. Director Vetrimaaran, who is a friend of Prithvi, has penned the dialogues. “When I was told about the action and kick-boxing sequences in the film, I was excited, for I would get to try out all the moves I had been imbibing unconsciously since childhood,” says Nakul, who seems to have done a lot of research on the subject as well.
According to Nakul, stunt master Dilip Subarayan had willing pupil to try out the kicks and punches that the latter choreographed for the film. “In particular, I’m excited about a tough solo fight between director Gaurav, who is acting in this film, and myself. It has come out really well,” reveals Nakul.
And looks like Nakul has more in store in the movie that releases this week. For, the actor is doing a double role, the details of which he’s not willing to reveal. But that does mean that he gets to romance two heroines, Chandini and Avni Modi. The buzz is that he plays a college student and a corporate executive, with a kickboxing angle woven into the story. The commercial-action entertainer also has actor Seetha and director-turned-actor A Venkatesh as part of the cast.
Nakul has been busy this year, shooting for his other two films — Vallinam and Amli Thumli. He has also signed up Vetrivel Film International’s Narathan to be directed by Naga Venkatesh. His D-day was when TN Governor K Rosaiah launched the film recently. “I felt so honoured he came and launched our film,” says Nakul. For the youngster, the film is special for another reason as well. “Narathan will be my hat-trick film with Santhanam, after Masilamani and Kandhakottai,” he signs off.