Shane Nigam, the Malayalam actor, was fully aware of the challenges he would face when he committed to his debut Tamil film, Madraskaaran. This project not only marks his first foray into a different language but also requires him to portray a quintessential city-bred boy from Chennai, with familial ties to Pudukottai.

“It was quite demanding, as I wanted to ensure that audiences did not perceive me merely as a Malayalam actor in a Tamil role. The focus needed to be solely on the character. Ultimately, with the support of the team, I believe I succeeded in this endeavor,” Shane shared with OTTplay, acknowledging that he personally handled the dubbing for his character.

“I invested considerable time in the dubbing process, particularly to master the accent and emphasize the correct words. Dubbing proved to be the most challenging aspect of Madraskaaran.”

Shane Nigam interview for Madraskaaran

Shane's most recent film with a festive release was RDX, which premiered during Onam 2023. The film proved to be a significant success for the season, and the actor aspires to replicate this achievement with the release of Madraskaaran for Pongal 2025. "I never anticipated this, as we had originally scheduled for January 31. With Vidaamuyarchi being postponed, we are moving forward. It was a pleasant surprise," he remarks.

Madraskaaran came to Shane at a time when he was already contemplating a Tamil film. "There were discussions with directors prior to the pandemic, but nothing came to fruition. However, following RDX, the interest intensified. I received many more Tamil offers than Malayalam after RDX. I resolved that if I were to undertake a Tamil film, it should be a proper launch—something that would be presented well to the audience."

After a period of careful consideration and reviewing Vaali Mohan Das' script for Madraskaaran, Shane took a few months before committing to the project. "I wanted to thoroughly examine every aspect, as this is not just my next Malayalam film, but my debut Tamil film. The first impression is crucial, and it was a demanding process," Shane explains.

So, why Madraskaaran? The actor highlights the unique emotion encapsulated in the script, which he found compelling. Shane portrays Sathyamoorthy, who resides in Chennai and intends to return to his hometown of Pudukottai for his wedding.

‘I have bank of music of more than 100 songs’

Shane is no stranger to multitasking, having participated in dance reality shows, composed a song for his critically acclaimed film Bhootakalam, and served as one of its producers. He explains, “Bhoothakaalam was a co-production, primarily produced by Anwar Rasheed. I did not encounter significant challenges on the production front, allowing me the freedom to focus on my acting role. Therefore, it was not overwhelming for me. The music aspect emerged unexpectedly when, at the last moment of the project, a song was needed. As we struggled to find a suitable track, I decided to give it a try, and when Rahul heard my composition, he believed it would be effective.”

Acknowledging his inclination to explore various avenues, Shane shares that he has amassed a collection of over 100 songs. “Most of these tracks are not intended for films and serve more as personal expressions. Thus, they could potentially be transformed into music videos,” he notes, despite having no formal music education or proficiency in playing any instruments.

‘Tamil film industry has more work-life balance than Malayalam cinema’

Having finished filming his debut Tamil movie, Shane was asked about the differences between a Malayalam film set and a Tamil one. He remarked, “I perceive a greater level of professionalism here, whereas in Malayalam cinema, it feels more like a group of friends collaborating. Fortunately, I have a supportive team and a producer for Madraskaaran who is investing in the necessary resources. Regarding work hours, in Malayalam cinema, we typically work from 7 AM to 9:30 PM, while here, the schedule is from 8 or 9 AM to 6 PM. I find this arrangement healthier, as it promotes a better work-life balance in Tamil cinema. The working hours are more favorable here.”

Shane, known for films such as Bhootakalam, Kumbalangi Nights, RDX, and Madraskaaran, which feature multiple lead characters, emphasizes that a film's success hinges on the effectiveness of every role. “A narrative centered around a single character often fails because, in reality, individuals are influenced by various significant figures in their lives. If the antagonist lacks strength, the protagonist's development is compromised. Only when this dynamic is established can the lead's role be validated.”

As he shares that discussions are underway for upcoming Tamil and Telugu projects, which will be announced shortly, Shane expresses his desire to explore and understand the workings of different film industries. Recognizing the unique characteristics of each industry, he states, “I appreciate all aspects of filmmaking, including the music and the authenticity it brings. However, nothing should appear artificial or out of context. A film should encompass a variety of elements for everyone to find something enjoyable.” He also notes that he does not alter his approach to filmmaking based on the language.

Concluding the conversation, Shane reflects on how he has learned to detach from his characters during breaks, which has significantly aided his mental relaxation. “In the past, I was consumed by thoughts of the film and my role, which was quite taxing. However, after the pandemic, I began to view life differently. I started to appreciate commercial films and the positive emotions they can evoke. This perspective is what drew me to Madraskaaran, as it embodies a gentle emotional core,” he concludes.

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