‘Moothon’ Is the Most Challenging Role I Have Done: Nivin Pauly

As Moothon premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, actor Nivin Pauly talks to The Quint about his experience during shooting, his Bollywood plans and more.

Hi guys! I’m Stutee, right now at the 44th Toronto International Film Festival and I’m in a room with Nivin Pauly. How are you doing?

I’m good. It’s a great feeling to be in TIFF. It’s my first international film festival and I’m so happy that my film’s being premiered at TIFF. It’s the biggest platform which we’ve got. So lots of gratitude feeling right now.

You’ve done all kinds of roles, but ‘The Elder One’ was different. You agree?

I feel ‘Moothon’ is the most difficult and the most challenging character I’ve ever played in my career. When I listened to the script for the first time, I took a little long time to answer to the director, because I was confused. Because the script and the demand from the actor was so powerful. So I was just too confused that what to say to Geetu. And the next day I called up and said, “Yeah, I’m in. Let’s work together.”

So what drew you to it? Because it is completely different from what you’ve done so far, also outside your comfort zone. In one sense, we haven’t seen a film like this. It’s so interesting, especially with the gender politics. So what drew you to the role?

Whenever I listen to a script, I always want to get connected to the script and character. If you’ve seen my films, most of them are common man films. I think that connects more to me. Akbar is so rooted and he’s the representative of the common man, so I think that connected me. As an actor, we always wanted to do different films and different genres, to work with different directors and do roles which you’ve never attempted before. So when I listened to this script, I felt that I’ve not done this before and it’s something which I should do. It’s so brilliantly written.

Watch the video for the complete interview!