Exclusive! Tovino Thomas: Mammootty, Mohanlal didn’t become stars by doing mass films, they are my role models

Count on Malayalam star Tovino Thomas to remain unpredictable even when he’s fresh off the success of Thallumaala, which is the highest grossing movie in his career. Contrary to what other actors would do right after their biggest hit, Tovino is currently working on an off-beat film titled Adrishya Jalakangal, which is helmed by Dr Biju. It’s this nature of unpredictability that has served him well in his career spanning a decade.

In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Tovino, who is shooting for the movie in Kasaragod, says, “My idea of cinema has always been art. Right now, I am shooting for Dr Biju’s Adrishya Jalakangal. If you go by the box office numbers, I wouldn’t be doing this film following Thallumaala’s success. That’s the kind of path I have trodden over the years and it has led me to where I am right now. Mammukka and Lalettan didn’t become stars just by doing ‘mass’ films. They are my role models and I am following their path.”

Ask the actor about the entertainment factor that he finds in his performances and the Minnal Murali star says, “I always prioritise art. As far as I am concerned, I must view cinema as an artform. The filmmaker as well as the audience will have to see it as an entertainment medium. If the viewers watch films for entertainment, I get satisfaction from it as an artform. You can’t expect me to be entertained by seeing my own art, I only get satisfaction from performing.”

Tovino’s Thallumaala has grossed over Rs 70 crore worldwide and is currently streaming on Netflix. The actor is next set to begin shooting another big budget entertainer titled Ajayante Randam Moshanam, which will have him in a triple role. He has also completed shooting for Aashiq Abu’s period film Neelavelicham and Jude Anthany Joseph’s multi-starrer based on 2018 Kerala floods.