Sharaf U Dheen on uniting with Nivin Pauly for ‘Prathichaya’; says, 'It was difficult to stay serious'

The upcoming Malayalam film ‘Prathichaya’ brings back Sharaf U Dheen and Nivin Pauly together after nearly a decade. Known for their light-hearted chemistry in films like ‘Premam’ and ‘Neram’, the duo now steps into a completely different zone with this intense political thriller.The actors were last seen sharing screen space in ‘Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela’. In ‘Prathichaya’, directed by B Unnikrishnan, their dynamic takes a serious turn. While Nivin plays the Chief Minister’s son, Sharaf essays the role of a corporate figure, with both characters expected to clash on opposing sides.Reflecting on this shift, Sharaf shared with OTT Play, “Nivin's character is serious, so is mine. So we have to set that mood to pull off the characters. So it was very difficult, especially to render such long dialogues (without breaking into laughter). But at the same time, we are also happy that we get to do such characters too in our combination.”Unlike their earlier collaborations that were filled with humour, the atmosphere on the sets of ‘Prathichaya’ remained intense throughout. Sharaf revealed how both actors consciously stayed in character to preserve the tone of the film. “Mostly, the film set was a serious space. So, it is better we maintain that and not change it into a laughter space,” he added.Over the years, Nivin Pauly has delivered hits like ‘Ohm Shanthi Oshaana’, ‘Premam’, and ‘Neram’, many of which showcased his effortless charm. Sharaf, on the other hand, became widely loved for his memorable role as Girirajan Kozhi in ‘Premam’. Their reunion in ‘Prathichaya’ is expected to present them in a completely new light.Interestingly, Sharaf also revealed that he had personally reached out to the director, asking if there was a role for him in the film, highlighting his eagerness to be part of this project. ‘Prathichaya’ is slated to hit theatres on March 26, 2026, just days before Mohanlal’s ‘Drishyam 3’. The film also features veteran actor Balachandra Menon as the Chief Minister, along with a strong supporting cast.Meanwhile, Nivin Pauly has an exciting lineup ahead, including the Tamil film ‘Benz’ alongside Raghava Lawrence and ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ directed by Girish AD. With ‘Prathichaya’, audiences can expect a refreshing shift from nostalgia to a more intense cinematic face-off.