A remarkable transformation has unfolded in the life of actor Arjun Ashokan, son of the famed Harisree Ashokan, with his latest portrayal in Rahul Sadasivan’s enthralling fantasy horror thriller, ‘Bramayugam’. Spanning over a decade in the Indian film industry, Arjun has stumbled upon what can best be described as the standout role of his career, vividly bringing to life the character of Thevan, set in the 17th century backdrop of Kerala.
Immersed within the eerie walls of Kodumon Potti’s crumbling mansion, Arjun powerfully captures the essence of the entangled paanan (singer) through an emotive performance that communicates a vivid spectrum of human emotions. Even his father, who is no stranger to the cinematic world, has lauded this role as a pivotal one in Arjun’s growing repertoire. Speaking from the set of Anand Sreebala, Arjun reflects on the dedication behind his performance, emphasizing, “It is a milestone that I will count among my best. A lot of hard work went into it; all of us put in a lot of work.”
The striking black and white cinematography of ‘Bramayugam’ cuts directly to the essence of its characters, with the camera fixating on the nuanced expressions that play out across their faces. It is through these subtleties that Arjun’s portrayal shines, enveloping the audiences in a whirlwind of the classical navarasas.
Describing his preparation for the role, Arjun remarks on his intentional lack of extensive character preconceptions. “I did not ‘prepare’ because I did not want to ‘judge’ the character or how he should be even before I landed up on the set. We had a few script-reading sessions which also helped with the dialogue delivery — the tone and the way of talking.”
Arjun’s profound transformation into the paanan was not solely artistic but also a physical odyssey, one he counts among his most challenging. Recollections from the set reveal an air-conditioned atmosphere juxtaposed with the need for performers to appear hot and sweaty, forcing actors to continuously be sprayed with water to achieve the right visual effect, all the while combatting the actual physical cold.
Within the tightly wound narrative of ‘Bramayugam’, it’s Arjun’s performance, alongside two other characters, that anchors the film’s compelling story. Reflecting on the project’s trajectory, Arjun is struck by the realization of the weight his role carried, an understanding that came into full view during post-production. Despite the uncertainty of audience reception and the presence of Malayalam film legend Mammootty in the cast, Arjun acknowledges the critical response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Tracing back his career, Arjun’s path has been distinct and versatile, encompassing roles that defy a simple categorization. From the affable Hakeem and the magnetic Anand to the sinister Vineeth and the jocular Sinu Sebastian, Arjun’s choices reflect a panoramic view of human experiences. His roles embody not only the steadfast characters like Hamza but also the comedic charm of roles in films such as ‘Member Rameshan 9aam Ward’ and ‘Super Sharanya’.
Arjun’s journey to ‘Bramayugam’s paanan has been gradual but intentional; he articulates his career philosophy simply as going with the flow and focusing on the integrity of the characters he portrays. As his varied filmography suggests, Arjun Ashokan is evolving as an actor, determined to make indelible marks in the fabric of the Indian film industry with each new character he embodies.
