Clad in a red and grey T-shirt and blue jeans, Udhayanidhi Stalin comes across as an unassuming person. Though he began his journey in the industry in 2008 as a producer of Vijay-Trisha starrer ‘Kuruvi’, Udhayanidhi never dreamt that he would one day don the grease.
“I never had an intention of becoming an actor. But, during the shoot of ‘Aadhavan’, Ravi Kumar sir (director) asked why I didn’t try acting. And, that was how I did a small cameo in the film. Then, later director Rajesh of ‘Boss Engira Bhaskaran’ approached me with the script of ‘Oru Kal Oru Kannadi’. I felt it as a live subject and committed to the project,” says Udhayanidhi who came to the state for the promotions of his upcoming film ‘Nanbenda’.
‘Nanbenda’, the third outing of the producer-turned-actor, stars Nayanthara as the lead lady.
“It is a romantic comedy which narrates the story of how a happy-go-lucky boy falls for a girl whom he meets during a visit to his friend’s place. It is not an out-and-out comic ride but has its share of suspense and action,” says Udhayanidhi for whom this is the second outing with Nayanthara, first being ‘Ithu Kathirvelan Kadhal’.
On his experience working with Nayanthara, the 37-year-old says: “I know Nayan from my ‘Kuruvi’ days. Initially, she was supposed to be part of that film, but last minute date issues cropped up. It is easy to act with her.”
In ‘Nanbenda’, Udhayanidhi dons the role of Sathya while Santhanam will play Sivakozhundhu, his partner in crime.
Udhayanidhi-Santhanam duo had been a hit pair right from ‘Oru Kal Oru Kannadi’ (OKOK), and the actor is anxious to repeat the same magic again with ‘Nanbenda’.
“I share a special chemistry with Santhanam. He is a great actor and has been there right from OKOK,” says the actor who is currently shooting for untitled Thirukumaran project in Kerala.
Ask him more about the film, he says, “The film is a crime thriller, happening in Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. Amy Jackson will be playing the lead in the film and Satyaraj will play Udhayanidhi’s father. Soon after this project, the actor will be playing the lead opposite Hansika Motwani in ‘Idhayam Murali’. “It is a pure love story and will begin shooting by June,” he adds.
‘Nanbenda’, with five songs composed by Harris Jayaraj, is directed by debutante Jagadish. Camera is cranked by Balasubramaniem and editing is done by Vivek Harshan. The film produced by Udhayanidhi will be released on April 2.
Born into an influential political family, Udhayanidhi is the grandson of
M Karunanidhi and son of Stalin. Quiz the actor entering into politics, he promptly replies, “Everyone ask me the same thing but I have nothing to do with politics. I am only interested in cinema and acting. And how to make it better everyday,” says Stalin Jr.