I let my script choose the actors: Radha Mohan

Chennai, April 19 (IANS) Why doesn't Tamil director Radha Mohan, known for films like "Abhiyum Naanum" and "Mozhi", ever work with stars? He finalises the cast on the basis of the script and says if it would demand the presence of a superstar, he would work with one.

"I let my script choose the actors and not vice versa. If I have to work with a superstar, then I make it a point to cast one. Why do I need to work with a superstar if there is absolutely no need for his or her presence," Radha Mohan, whose "Gauravam" has hit the screens Friday, told IANS.

"It is very important to have the right actor for the right script. One of the most common mistakes in the industry is mis-casting. I ensure I stay away from it," added the filmmaker who had once worked with Nagarjuna in his bilingual movie "Payanam".

"Nagarjuna was needed for 'Payanam'. The script demanded an actor who could pull off the role and convince audiences that he was a suitable pick. It was the role of a major in the army, and I couldn't possibly rope in a newcomer or a relatively unknown face to play the part," he said.

"For a film such as 'Abhiyum Naanum', about the relationship between a father and his daughter, I didn't need a superstar. I needed an actor who could play the father's role to perfection," he added.

In critically acclaimed Tamil drama "Abhiyum Naanum", loosely based on "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", Prakash Raj played father to Trishna Krishnan.

He roped in debutant Sirish for the same reason in his forthcoming Tamil-Telugu bilingual "Gouravam", which also stars Prakash Raj.

"The story is about discrimination based on casteism. Sirish has image of the boy-next-door and that makes him ideal for the role. I wanted an unfamiliar face to stand up against the issue because it would have an emotional connect with the audience," he said.

"If a star actor would have played the role, then I would have had to rely on the commercial style of filmmaking to do justice to his image. I didn't want that to happen and, therefore, I cast Sirish," explained Mohan.

Produced by Prakash Raj under his home banner Duet Movies, "Gouravam" also features Yami Gautham, Nassar, Elango Kumaravel, Sricharan and Anupama Kumar.

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Gouravam