Shabeer Kallarakkal plays a pivotal role in Pa Ranjith’s next

Theatre artiste and actor Shabeer Kallarakkal is playing an important role in Pa Ranjith’s upcoming film, starring Arya in the lead. After doing important roles in films like Petta and Adanga Maru, Shabeer is happy to have bagged the film.
“I knew casting director Nithya, with whom I worked while doing Adanga Maru. She had told me about the film and asked if I’d be open to go for an audition.I generally like doing auditions as I love the camera and enjoy the process. So, I went there and got a brief about the film. What I really liked about it was that they gave me a scene from the role they were looking at casting. It is an eccentric character, and a complete opposite of who I am. It was an emotional scene and I did the audition right away. Next day, the team had called me. They asked if I could put on weight. I had just gotten into shape as I was doing a play. I had also signed another film, for which I lost six kilos. So, I told them that I couldn’t do it. After a couple of days, Ranjith sir called me to his office. I was already sporting a six pack. When he saw that I was in shape, he roped me in for the film. He liked my test shoot and costume trial, too.”
While he was happy to have bagged the film, the dates clashed with his other project. “I eventually had to let go of the other film. We started shooting in January and completed nearly 50 per cent of the film. Because of COVID-19, we had to halt our shoot. I used this time to train well in boxing. Before the film took off, I heard that even Ranjith sir and his team of assistant directors trained in boxing. I felt really motivated and did intense training for the last six months. Fitness is my forte and since this is a sports film, I was more than excited to be training,” says Shabeer.
The film also has Kalaiyarasan, Santhosh Prathap and John Kokken in pivotal roles. “I met Kalai when I was auditioning for the film. He was very supportive. Arya is a chilled out and positive guy. I loved the way he treated people on the set. Santhosh and John, too, are nice people. We have no egos and are always looking at helping each other. I am looking forward to resuming shooting again.”