Since his first Malayalam role as Collector Ajay Sripad Dange in Kamal KM's Pada, actor Arjun Radhakrishnan has been establishing himself as a remarkable actor. In Ahammed Khabeer's web series, Kerala Crime Files Season 2, his most recent role as SI Noble is a notable achievement for the actor, who has previously starred in films like Ullozhukku and Kannur Squad during the last three years.

Following the launch of the JioHotstar web series, Arjun discusses playing his first lead role in a brief conversation with OTTplay, along with his development as an actor and the reasons why he isn't overly concerned about the arcs of his characters.

In addition to notable parts in Pada, Ullozhukku, and Kannur Squad, you have already produced five Malayalam movies. However, did you seem to be the most at ease playing the part of Noble in Kerala Crime Files Season 2?

The reason is likely because it was the first time I had the opportunity to play a complete role. I was there from start to finish, which helped. There is a distinct arc to the protagonist role, and I think that would have contributed to that impression. Additionally, what you see on the screen is greatly influenced by the words. Authors have always been the lifeline of performers.

Your body language was on point throughout the entire series, from the first episode where Noble is yelled at by his boss to the last, where he exuded a confidence that comes from solving the case. Do you believe that you have improved your acting skills with every Malayalam film you have made?

Due to the type of performer that I am, I continue to rely heavily on the material that is written for my role. In terms of body language, I'm aware that everyone puts in a lot of effort. However, I only understand it because of the information the writer and director give me about the character prior to the shoot. It's all about what's inside.

"When you wear the uniform, there is always a tendency to imitate a specific body language," Bahul Ramesh, the screenwriter, and Ahammed Khabeer, the director, informed me in the case of Noble. However, that is not what we want. Therefore, I simply concentrated on the emotions necessary for the role. As an actor, at least up till now, I've enjoyed the internal work of controlling body language.

With the possible exception of the one in Identity earlier this year, the characters you've portrayed have a certain sense of realism. However, whether you were playing your role in Rocket Boys, Ullozhukku, or Jhund, where the portrayal was spontaneous and inspired by APJ Abdul Kalam, the performances were genuine. In addition to the liberty to portray these characters with flaws, does it also grant you the freedom to view them as human?

The directors of my films are essential to me. Because the director's instructions for a commercial picture would be different, I'm not sure if my representation of Noble would be the same. The way the character is presented would be different, but the interior mechanisms and everything else would remain the same.

Nonetheless, Kannur Squad was a legitimate commercial film, and its director Roby (Varghese Raj) knew me for who I am. He advised me not to be frightened or concerned by the size of the movie. You are not required to make the performance any louder than it would be normally because it is a commercial film. He said, "Simply do it the best you can, and I will try to repair that meter for you." Therefore, everything depends on the director's expectations of you.

Roby, now that you bring it up. With Kerala Crime Files Season 2 and Kannur Squad, he and Bahul are both visual artists and cinematographers who have become directors and screenwriters. Is there a significant difference in their approach in this respect?

The entire writer-cinematographer business with Bahul is novel. However, I believe that a director working on someone else's material is different from a filmmaker who writes and directs his own film. Even in Ahammed's interview, this was the first time he was in charge of someone else's stuff. Christo (Tomy), the director and writer of Ullozhukku, and I had also collaborated. The distinction I've observed is in the control. A director who is just a director, naturally, has a sense of impartiality.

Despite the fact that Kerala Crime Files is in its second season, the web series format is still rather novel for Malayalam. However, you were previously a member of Rocket Boys. Consequently, in this medium, how simple is it for the producers and performers to maintain creative and arcing control?

Someone once advised me to not worry about the arc when filming because that is the responsibility of the directors and writers. As a result, that has never concerned me. I believe that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and will carry them out. There are so many additional factors that you begin to dictate if we get into that. I don't have the experience to do that right now, but I might be able to do so after working on 30–40 films, when I have a better understanding of the world outside of acting. I'm not interested in entering that area right now. I think that if I give it my best, the editor and director will give it theirs. I have faith that the editors will always rescue your performance (laughs).

Now that you've starred in a series, what's next?

I am currently employed in director Salim Ahamed sir's next project. In it, I take the lead role. This is the first time I have ever played a lead role in a movie. Let's examine how each step develops.

Read Also: Sara Ali Khan Jokes About Saif Ali Khan’s Break-In Incident on The Great Indian Kapil Show

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!