Each film wins an actor a different set of audience and I cherish that experience, says actor Sharafudheen

As Priyan Ottathilaanu, his new film as protagonist reaches theatres, the actor looks back at his journey in Malayalam cinema

When he started his career, audiences thought that comedy was Sharafudheen’s forte, thanks to a string of likeable roles, starting with Girirajan Kozhi, a flirt and bluffer in Alphonse Puthren’s Premam. Then he surprised the viewers with negative roles: as the lecherous Josey in Varathan and the serial killer Benjamin Louis in Anjaam Pathira. Before he got typecast, there came Sanu John Varughese’s Aarkkariyam, in which he played Roy, an easygoing husband burdened by a secret.

Priyan Ottathilaanu, which releases on June 24, has Sharaf playing the protagonist. In a telephonic conversation, Sharaf says that people would be able to relate to his character, Priyadarshan. “He is a homeopathic doctor, a middle-class married man with a child. A people pleaser, he finds his personal life in tatters as he is expected to always help others. His ambition and dreams take a backseat. I know a person like him and I am sure there are a lot of Priyans around us,” says Sharaf.

Directed by Antony Sony, who made his mark with his debut film, the Manju Warrier-starrer C/O Saira Banu (2017), Priyan Ottathilaanu is written by the scenarist duo of Abhayakumar and Anil Kurian, who have films such as Punyalan Agarbathis and Chathurmugham to their credit. “It was Abhay who approached me with the script. I liked it and after some changes in the script, they approached Antony Sony,” says Sharaf. While Aparna Das (last seen in Beast) plays his wife, Nyla Usha is cast in a significant role.

Sharaf observes that even though Neeyum Njaanum (2019) is credited as his first movie as a hero, he “became the main character during the making process. I was cast as one of the characters initially. But Priyan Ottathilaanu is the first movie I signed with the conviction that I would be able to pull off the role of the protagonist.”

Sharaf feels that he got right roles at the right time. Even as he was riding high on comedy with films such as Happy Wedding, Pretham, Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela etc., Jeethu Joseph gave him a serious role in Pranav Mohanlal-starrer Aadhi. But the biggest turnaround was Varathan.

His character in Aarkkariyam is his favourite till date. “I could pull it off because of the way Sanu chettan explained the role. He is a man of detailing and was clear about every aspect of the character. People have been extremely appreciative of my work in Varathan and Anjaam Pathira. But after the release of Aarrkariyam, I got appreciation from unexpected quarters. That’s when I realised that each film wins an actor a different set of audience and I cherish that experience,” he says.

In the meantime, he turned producer with Chavittu, which won awards for the second best film, best sync sound and best choreography at the recently-announced Kerala State Film Awards. Directed by Rahman Brothers, Sajas Rahman and Shinos Rahman, it was selected for the International Film Festival Rotterdam early this year.