Kochi Times Most Desirable Man 2018: Tovino Thomas

In a way, Tovino Thomas was streamlined for success. His rise to stardom has been sleek and elegant much like the man himself, who in a span of just seven years has become one of the most sought-after actors in Mollywood. While his undying passion to make movies that matter and onscreen charisma make him irresistible, his grit and heart during the flood rescue and relief efforts last year made him a real-life hero for many.

It is no wonder then that with the polls online and our vote,

Tovino

Thomas is

Kochi Times Most Desirable

Man 2018. In a free-wheeling chat, the 30-year-old star talks to us about his fitness mantra, the qualities he believes make people desirable and on women getting equal space in all fields of life:

How does it feel to be voted the Most Desirable Man?
I am obviously thrilled but I won’t let it go to my head. The Desirable list that was put up for voting had a lot of celebs, but there are many more men out there who are even more desirable than me but didn’t make it to the list because they aren’t popular. So, I take this honour as a sign of my popularity. And who doesn’t like to be called the Most Desirable Man? (Laughs)

What do you think makes a man desirable?Based on what I have heard from my friends who are women, I think it’s his personality – his opinions and the action he takes to back them up.

What do you think makes you desirable?I wouldn’t be the right person to comment on that. I think everything about me is desirable. I don’t know if I am a narcissist, but I love myself a lot. I also believe that our confidence and insecurities stem from our love for ourselves, and our notions on how that would affect others. Even if I didn’t have any virtues, as far as I am concerned, I am desirable; I am the hero of my story.

Was there any celebrity that you found desirable while growing up?There were many. I haven’t tried to follow any one blindly. Why limit ourselves? I believe that each person has a different virtue and I have tried to imbibe those qualities from them. For instance, I might prefer the fashion sense of one person and the hairstyle of another.

Your characters in Mayaanadhi and Oru Kuprasidha Payyan have shown that a vulnerable hero can be equally desirable.I have no qualms playing vulnerable characters because in reality, we are all vulnerable in one way or the other. Machismo is a perception and that’s what many strive to reach but often fall short. Maybe you can be a macho man in front of others but deep inside you know you have fears and insecurities, and personally I don’t think it’s a big deal if others perceive me as someone vulnerable. Also, it doesn’t mean I won’t ever do macho roles because I am playing such a character in Kalki.

In real life, I am not a machismo-oozing individual nor am I as vulnerable as Ajayan in Oru Kuprasidha Payyan or Maathan in Mayaanadhi. I can be detached when it comes to certain things and emotionally vulnerable about certain aspects.

What makes a woman desirable?Her character! I am not saying looks are unimportant, but I would any day rate personality higher.

Who do you find the most desirable in the film industry?Wamiqa Gabbi. Her energy is infectious. I have seen actresses who look better but she’s got this amazing character; she has that Punjabi eccentricity and is not afraid to show her softer side either, especially when she misses her pets. I like to believe that people who can love animals are the ones who can truly love humans. There are so many things about her that I can relate to, and that’s why we are good friends.

What is your style quotient?I won’t go to the beach wearing a three-piece suit or attend a function in t-shirt and three-fourths. I dress for the occasion. Before a function, I seek advice from designers or people with a better fashion sense than me on what to wear. There are times I have asked four to five people for advice.

How do you maintain your physique?I am someone who used to take care of my physique, but after becoming active in films, there are times when I don’t get enough sleep because I am working back-to-back projects and schedules stretch till midnight. At times, I forget to drink enough water and my uric acid level shoots up.

I am 30 years old now, and instinctively I am trying to cut back on my guilty pleasures. I try not to overeat. Since October last year, I have been working out four days a week. I am trying out high intensity interval training and cross fit and spend close to 1.5 hours at the gym mandatorily. I now make it a point to find time even in the middle of the shooting schedule to do this. I think I am now fitter than what I have been before, and I want to continue this as much as physically possible.

But how are you handling the adulation from the womenfolk?That sort of takes care of itself. I think R Madhavan explained it the best when he said that, “All these people are not in love with me, but with my characters”. I can only feel the love of those I know personally, the rest adore me for my body of work and I don’t know how long that will endure. But, as long as it lasts, it’s a beautiful feeling.

As someone from the film industry, do you believe there is equal space for women in the industry?
I can answer this only based on the projects that I have worked in and in all of them, irrespective of gender, we have had a friendly, collaborative atmosphere. From ABCD to And The Oscar Goes To…, there have not been a differentiation based on gender. I am someone who believes there is heroism in treating women with respect, and chauvinism is unacceptable. This applies not just in films but in every profession; women and men must be respected. Also, more than equality, equity is what is required, keeping in mind the unique facets and needs of both genders and what they require to succeed in any field of life.

You are just 30 and busy in the work front, and also married with a daughter. Do the professional commitments now eat into your family time?My daughter Izza is three and till she starts going to school, I have the option of bringing her to the sets whenever I can. I tell my wife, ‘I know it’s difficult for you but I want you two to come to the location and stay with me because I need to spend time with you two’.

I am not usually working with big filmmakers; majority of the directors of my films are debutants and good friends. If I take a break from filming, it would affect the release of their films. So, more than me trying to convince them to let me go on a break, it’s easier to have my wife and daughter with me during the shooting. What also gives me joy is that Izza has now seen a lot of places; when I was her age, I had only seen Kanyakumari and Velankanni.

However, one regret that I do have is that I am not able to spend time with my parents. I am someone who is extremely homesick. Even in my childhood when my brother and sister went to stay with relatives, I would never leave home because I couldn’t stay away from my parents.

Your rise to the top happened at break-neck speed. But does it also come with its side effects?
I like to believe that I have some potential and that’s why I am here; else I would have vanished based on the number of negative campaigns against me. You can call it luck or talent, but you cannot call it fluke because that wouldn’t have sustained my run this long. There were so many instances when I was glad, when I was sad, but at the end of the day, I am still here and I am able to give joy to the ones around me. It doesn’t matter what others think.