Numerous fans of Malayalam cinema are eagerly anticipating the teaser for Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan, which is expected to be released later this week. In the meantime, the production team unveiled the first look of Tovino Thomas’ character, Jatin Ramdas, on January 21, coinciding with the actor's birthday.

In a recent exclusive interview with OTTplay, the actor known for his roles in Identity and Ajayante Randam Moshanam expressed his enthusiasm for reprising his role in the sequel of the Lucifer franchise, scheduled to hit theaters on March 27. He also shared how his collaboration with Prithviraj has further inspired him in his acting career.

Tovino Thomas on reprising Jatin Ramdas in L2 Empuraan

In reflecting on his return to the role of Jatin, a political heir and chief minister of Kerala in Empuraan, Tovino remarked, “This is the primary reason for my involvement in L2 Empuraan. No one else in the world can portray Jatin Ramdas quite like I can (laughs). On a lighter note, “Lucifer was one of those productions where I felt both joyful and at ease. I experienced no stress during the filming of the movie. The same was true for Empuraan, aside from minor inconveniences such as coordinating my schedule to avoid conflicts with other obligations.”

Regarding his collaboration with Prithviraj as a director, Tovino expressed that he felt “secure” while filming Empuraan because “he is a director I can rely on.” “Moreover, I am merely a character actor in this film; thus, my sole responsibility was to ensure that I performed my role effectively. This was also the expectation of the director. His background as an actor allowed him to comprehend the pressures faced by performers and to create an environment in which we all felt most at ease,” Tovino elaborated.

Tovino Thomas on working with Prithviraj Sukumaran in Empuraan

Tovino expresses high regard for Prithviraj’s “confidence and clarity” in his directorial approach. He recalls discussions during the promotions of Lucifer, where Prithviraj pointed out that while Tovino was successfully capturing the behavioral aspects of his character, there were additional dimensions he needed to explore as an actor, including taking on unfamiliar roles. This encouragement led Tovino to accept roles in projects like Ajayante Randam Moshanam, which is set in historical contexts he was previously unfamiliar with. He notes, “During the filming of a particular scene, he praised my performance, indicating significant improvement in certain areas.”

Regarding the significance of his role as Jatin Ramdas, Tovino remarks, “The exposure I gained from Lucifer as an actor is substantial. The film provided me with considerable visibility, thanks to the involvement of many talented individuals. Therefore, participating in Empuraan was an opportunity I embraced wholeheartedly. It also allows me to share the screen with actors I typically do not have the chance to work alongside.”

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