Shanthnoo's 18-day challenge for film's role

Thangar Bachan is a demanding director and Shanthnoo will vouch for it. The actor, who is shooting with the director for Ammavin Kaipesi, was asked to lose a minimum of eight kilos in 18 days for one of the looks in the film.
Shanthnoo says, 'Thangar Bachan is serious about filmmaking and he is clear about what he wants from his actors. For a certain sequence, he wanted me to look weak and drained out.So, I had to lose weight, grow beard and look tired. I went on a protein and liquid diet, worked out twice a day and went swimming. I applied oil on my body and played cricket in the sun so that I could tan. My trainer Gopi helped me achieve my target weight.'
He adds, 'There's a leap of six years in the film, and Thangar sir wanted me to get a complete image makeover for it."
The film, which has Ineya in the lead, is about the relationship between a son and his mother. 'The plot revolves around a situation where a mobile phone becomes the only mode of communication between the two,' he says.