After the phenomenal success of Premam, Nivin Pauly has become a name to reckon with in Tamil Nadu. Cashing in on the popularity, the actor is keen on exploring Tamil market as well. He will be testing the waters with his first straight Tamil film Richie, a remake of the critically-acclaimed Kannada thriller Ulidavaru Kandanthe.
On Wednesday, the makers unveiled a new poster of the film and it was confirmed that the project will finally hit the screens on December 8. Nivin will be seen playing a gangster in the film and according to director Gautham Ramachandran, his role will be unlike anything audiences have seen so far and will get to see in the future.
In a chat with Deccan Chronicle earlier this year, Gautham Ramachandran said, “The character of Richie will be a stark contrast from what the audiences, even in Kerala, have seen Nivin do so far. If they had categorised him in any way, Richie will be diagonally opposite to that, I’m sure.”
The film also stars cinematographer-actor Natty, Shraddha Srinath, Lakshmi Priyaa and Prakash Raj. Apparently, Gautham had planned to make the film as a bilingual. But it was Nivin, who suggested that they make it in Tamil alone. He’s confident that Tamil audiences will embrace the film and he will find a new market. In Tamil Nadu, the film will be released via Trident Arts, currently on a roll with the success of Vikram Vedha, Aval and Aramm.
Nivin has a very interesting lineup of films and the most awaited among them is Rosshan Andrrews’s Kayamkulam Kochunni, based on the eponymous highwayman. Nivin reportely trained in Kalaripayattu, the ancient martial arts form of Kerala, while preparing for his role in the film.
Nivin also has Geethu Mohandas’s Moothon, apart from Hey Jude and Love Action Drama in his kitty. Next year, he is expected to start shooting for Malayalam film Kairali, based on the disappearance of a bulk carrier, owned by Kerala Shipping Corporation.
In a Facebook post earlier this year, Nivin wrote about Kairali: “Announcing my new project with my dearest Jomon T John who will make his directorial debut in this film titled 'Kairali'. The ship, with a crew of 49, was carrying 20,000 tonnes of iron ore from Margao in Goa to Rostock in Germany. It went off the radar 500 km from Margao."
Nivin further wrote: "I am totally excited to be part of this ever since I heard the story. The movie will be scripted by my dear friend Sidhartha Siva and it will be jointly produced by Pauly Jr. Pictures and Real Life Works."