'Indian-American actors get cast as terrorists of late'

Allen Matters

, a US-based actor of Malayali origin, is all excited about acting in a film which is shot in his native language,

Malayalam

. The actor is part of Shweta Menon- starrer '

Nawal Enna Jewel

', and plays the character of the love interest of the lead actress, Reem Kadem.

'My screen time is just 15 minutes or so, but it is an important character. I play a Kerala boy who goes to Iran and falls in love with this Iranian girl while there,' says Allen. 'In the Middle East, there are few means of entertainment, and a visitor doesn't get to interact with the local community like in the US. So he is this typical guy who tries to hit on a woman. And it turns out that she is half-Malayali, as her mother, played by Shweta, came to Iran after marrying an Iranian.'

The film starring Adil Hussain and Paris Lakshmi was shot simultaneously in English and Malayalam. 'It is based on a real story. I liked the story, and started off as its co-producer but managed to bag a role in it too. However, I had to do a screen test and give my demo reels, like any other actor,' says Allen, who has had a chequered career. 'I grew up in India, and worked with missionaries in North India for some time before moving to the US. I worked in the US Army for a while and somehow found my way to films later on.'

However, Allen is full of praise for actors, as he finds acting the 'toughest of all jobs,' he says. 'I thought a soldier's life is hard, what with jumping out of aeroplanes and doing combats but it seems cakewalk compared to acting! If you emote it right at 'action' you are saved but if you screw up, there are no second chances. Salute to every actor who can fake it right to make it right.'

Interestingly, as an Indian-American actor, most of the roles that Allen comes across from Hollywood are those of a computer geek or driver! 'At times I get doctor roles too and more recently, plenty of terrorist roles! But I don't mind getting typecast. Probably I look like a terrorist, I guess,' he laughs it off.
Coming up for Allen is an Egyptian-American movie, a drama. 'As I am based in Los Angeles, I'm not able to do Malayalam movies, but would love to be part of them,' he signs off.